Students of Stamford University have continued their protest for the second consecutive day demanding justice over the alleged murder of fellow student Rubaiyat Sharmin Rumpa.
The students and the teachers of Siddheshwari and Dhanmondi campuses formed separate human chains in front of the main entrances of the university in Dhaka Saturday morning.
Later, they brought out processions and paraded the city streets.
Holding various placards inscribed with "Justice for Rumpa," "No mercy for rapist," and "Hang the rapist," the demonstrators demanded proper investigation into the death.
At the human chain at Siddheshwari, one of the protesters, Ali Emran, said: "Sexual harassment against women has increased day by day. Nobody knows who the next victim will be. Nobody is safe.
Students and teachers of Stamford univesity form humain chains in front of the university main entrance on Saturday, December 7, 2019 | Courtesy
"We demand exemplary punishment for Rumpa's killers. We demand also safe working place and city for women. "
A friend of Rumpa said: "We know she was raped. Now attempts are being made to divert the incident another way."
Associate Prof Sayma Arju of the English department said: "I knew her. She was not someone who could commit suicide. Her getting justice now depends on proper investigation by law enforcement agencies."
Prof Dr Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder, chairman of the English department, urged the government to identify the perpetrators of the murder immediately and transfer the case to speedy trial tribunal for quick disposal.
Proctor ANM Arifur Rahman said: "Criminal Investigation Department, Detective Branch of police, Rapid Action Battalion, and police are working jointly on the matter. I believe the reason behind the death will be revealed very soon."
Students and teachers will hold sit-in programs at their respective campuses on Sunday protesting the murder, he added.
Rumpa's death
On December 4, police recovered the body of Rumpa, 21, a second year student of Stanford University's English department, from 68 Siddheswari Circular Road, behind Ayesha Complex around 11pm.
She used to live with her mother and younger brother in Dhaka's Shantibagh area.
Rumpa was the daughter of Inspector Md Rokonuddin, in-charge of a police outpost in Habiganj.
She was buried at her ancestral home at Bijoynagar village in Mymensingh on December 6.
According to police sources, Rumpa died after falling from a multi-storey building.
A case was filed in this regard with Ramna police station.
The autopsy of the body was performed at Dhaka Medical College (DMC) on December 5.
Dr Sohel Mahmud, head of the DMC Forensic department, said: "The deceased [Rumpa] sustained multiple fractures in her body which indicates she died after falling off a multi-storey building. Samples have also been collected to perform a viscera test."
