RU demands justice for Prof Rezaul

RU Prof AKM Rezaul Karim Siddiquee. Photo: Collected

Teachers and students of Rajshahi University (RU) yesterday demanded justice for Prof Rezaul Karim Siddiquee, a teacher of english department, who was hacked to death by suspected militants two years ago.  

Some 400 students and teachers brought out a silent procession at 10:00am in front of Shahidullah Arts Building, which houses the English department. They later gathered and held a rally in front of Mukul Moncho on the campus.

Prof Dr AFM Maswood Akhter, chairman of English department, Prof Jahurul Islam, Prof Shahidur Rahman, Associate Prof Shahnaz Yasmeen of the same department and Rizwana Hasin Shotovi, daughter of the slain teacher, spoke at the rally.

Demanding justice for her father's murder, Rizwana Hasin said such incidents shall not happen any more.

Prof Maswood Akhter also demanded exemplary punishment for the perpetrators.

Earlier on April 11, a Rajshahi court fixed May 8 for delivering verdict in the murder case.

The mastermind of the killing, Shariful Islam, alias Khalid, a student of English department at RU, is still absconding.

On April 23 in 2016, RU English teacher Prof Rezaul was stabbed to death near his home in the city's Shalbagan area while he was walking to board a bus of the university.

Islamic State claimed responsibility of the killing soon after the murder.

Three other accused were killed in “police raids” and “gunfights”.

Khairul Islam Payal alias Badhan was killed in the raid on Holey Artisan Bakery in Dhaka. Nazrul Islam alias Bike Hasan and Tareque Hasan Milu alias Osman were killed in “gunfights” with law enforcers in Rajshahi and Bogra.

Out of the five living accused, four gave confessional statements in custody. They are polytechnic student Maskawath Hasan Sakib alias Abdullah, RU crop science student Rahmatullah, Abdus Sattar and Sattar's son Ripon.