Student's Death on Road: Protests go on in Sylhet

Students in Sylhet continued protests for the second day yesterday, demanding justice for Wasim Adnan who died on Saturday after being pushed off a bus by the helper and crushed under the rear wheels.

Police said they arrested the helper, Masuk Ali, early yesterday.

Several hundred students of Sylhet Agricultural University (SAU) blocked Chouhatta, a key intersection in the city, for around two hours since 11:30am, halting traffic movement in the area.

They vowed to continue agitation until the helper was punished.

In the face of the situation, the SAU authorities suspended all classes and examinations yesterday, said Faisal Khalilur Rahman, assistant director of the university's public relations department.

All academic activities were suspended and the university observed a day of mourning, he said. The victim, Wasim Adnan, was a fourth-year student of biotechnology and genetic engineering department at the university.

SAU Vice Chancellor Md Matiar Rahman Howlader said it was not an accident, it was a murder.

Soon after Wasim was killed by the bus in Nabiganj upazila of Habiganj, hundreds of SAU students staged demonstrations on the Dhaka-Sylhet highway at Kadamtoli of Sylhet and vadalised several buses.

They called off their protest for the day around 9:30pm at the request of the university proctor, Mrityunjoy Kundo.

BUS HELPER HELD

A team of Sunamganj police arrested the helper, Masuk, 38, at his in-law's house in Chhatak upazila of the district around 2:00am.

He was arrested based on information given by the arrested bus driver Jewel Ahmed, said Zedan Al Musa, additional deputy commissioner (media) of Sylhet Metropolitan Police.

Additional Superintendent of Police in Moulvibazar Anwarul Haque said the duo, during primary interrogation, admitted their involvement in the incident.

On the other hand, Wasim's family was still struggling to come to terms with his death. 

“Why should anyone die this way? Tell me where should I seek justice ... who will call me mother?“ asked Wasim's mother Nila Parvin.