At least 18 students were killed in Rajshahi University in the last 20 years, but justice remains a far cry.
Not a single murder case has so far gone to trial, thus making the victims’ family lose hope for justice to the murders of their beloved sons.
The latest murder incident took place on April 4 when Bangladesh Chhatra League leader Rustom Ali Akondo was killed in his dormitory room.
The Chhatra League blamed Islami Chhatra Shibir for the killing and filed a case against 15 Shibir men including RU unit Shibir president Ashraful Islam Emon.
The victim’s family alleged that the accused were moving under the very nose of law enforcers, but no action was taken against them.
In maximum murder cases, police were alleged to be taking bribe in the name of investigation, sources said, adding that the investigation officers were transferred from one place to another, thus making it difficult for the lawmen to submit charge sheet in due time.
The major incidents of killing at Rajshahi University include Chhatra League (Jasod) leader Eyasir Arafat Titu murder in 1992, Chhatra Dal leader Bishwajit murder in 1993, Chhatra Union leader Tapon and Chhatra League leader Monjur Elahi murders, Bangladesh Chhatra Maitree leader Jubayer Hossain Rimu and Chhatra League leader Rupom Bhattyachariya murders in 1995 allegedly by Islami Chhatra Shibir.
In 1996, Jatiyatabadi Samaj Sangskrity Sangstha RU unit general secretary Aman Ullah was killed allegedly by Shibir men while in 2004 Shibir activist Saifuddin was killed allegedly by Chhatra Dal.
In 2008 March, Shibir RU unit secretary Sarifuzzaman Nomany was killed.
On March 14, Forhad Hossain, RU unit Shibir organising secretary, lodged a case against 27 BCL men with Motihar police station.
Only a few months ago police submitted the charge sheet to the court, said Motihar police station officer-in-charge.
In 2010, Chhatra League activist Faruk Hossain was murdered. Chhatra League blamed Chhatra Shibir for the killing.
In 2010, BCL activist Nasrullah Nasim, a fourth year history student of Rajshahi University, was beaten up by his fellow party activists, who also pushed him down from the first floor of his dormitory.
Nasim succumbed to his injury at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
In 2012, Chhatra League activist Sohel was killed in an intra-party clash.
On February 8, 2010, Islami Chhatra Shibir men allegedly killed Bangladesh Chhatra League activist Faruk Hossain over occupying residential halls.
A total of 14 cases were filed against the Jamaat-Shibir men with Motihar police station and later they were transferred to Detective Branch of police.
Currently, the case has been transferred to Rajpara police station.
Police arrested at least 200 Shibir men in this connection.
RU authorities formed a five-member probe body in this regard. The probe body submitted its investigation report in due time, but the university authorities did not take any action in this regard.
Bangladesh Chhatra Union RU chapter former president Shipon Ahmed demanded speedy trial for all murder cases.
RU unit Chhatra Dal convener Arafat Reza Ashik said the killers got mercy because of political reasons.
Hasna Begum, mother of the deceased Chhatra League activist, Faruk Hossain, told the Dhaka Tribune over phone three years passed since the incident had taken place, but punishment was yet to be meted out to the killers.
Father of deceased Nasirullah Nasim said his son had gone to “the land of no return”, but the killers were moving freely on the university campus.
Contacted, Pro-vice Chancellor of Rajshahi University Sarwar Jahan Sajol told the Dhaka Tribune, “We also want justice and punishment of the killers, but in maximum cases, we are helpless.”
He claimed that the RU administration was trying its best to get the victims’ families justice.
Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mahbubur Rahman said police were looking into all cases.
He said police needed extra time for proper investigation.