There are allegations that the authorities have not taken any steps against the police official, who in a video footage, was seen opening fire on Begum Rokeya University student Abu Sayed in Rangpur on June 16. As per the allegation, the authorities are yet to take action even against those who gave the orders to police to open fire on protesters.
Police filed a case over Sayed’s death where it is mentioned that he was killed after being hit by a chunk of bricks.
Anger rose among the general people and students in Rangpur after such information started circulating on social media on Saturday.
Abu Sayed was at the forefront of the protesters when a clash broke out between police and quota reform protesters in front of Rangpur's Begum Rokeya University on 16 July. The same day, Sub-inspector Bibhuti Bhushan Roy, in-charge of the campus police camp, filed a case with Tajhat police station. In the case, the SI accused 2,000-3,000 unidentified people, including BNP and Jamaat-Shibir activists, of the killing.
However, the case statement does not mention anything about Sayed being shot.
At the same time, the forensic report of Sayed’s death has not been submitted even after 12 days of his death. Dr Rajikul Islam, the chief of the forensic department at Rangpur Medical College, has been tasked with the responsibility.
When contacted, Dr Shah Md Sarwar Jahan, a professor at the medical college, told Dhaka Tribune that Dr Rajikul is currently on leave and will join work on Sunday.
Tuhin Wadud, a teacher of the university who saw Sayed's body at the hospital, said there were shotgun pellet wounds all over the body and claimed police had shot Sayed. He thinks that the role of the government and the police department will become questionable if the culprits are not brought to book in the case. He also demanded a speedy trial over the killing of the student.
One of the protestors who had brought Sayed to Rangpur Medical College after he was shot, Saju Banshfor, said they were targeted by the police and were shot at while Sayed was being taken to the hospital. Saju, also the convener of Samajtantrik Chhatra Front, said blood was coming out of Sayed’s mouth during their journey to the hospital. And when they finally reached the hospital, the duty doctors declared Sayed dead on arrival. There were marks of innumerable injuries on Sayed’s body.
Another protester, Arefin Titu, said he had touched Sayed’s arms and found them ice cold. He was shot dead and the culprits must be punished.
Omar Faruk, a teacher at the Department of Accounting and Information of Begum Rokeya University said teachers and students want the trial of the killer of Abu Sayed. He also demanded a thorough investigation into the matter.
Another teacher, requesting anonymity, said video footage showed how Sayed was shot from less than 20 feet distance. He fell to the ground. It all happened in front of the main gate of the university.
Meanwhile, the university has formed a probe body over the incident.
Professor Dr Matiur Rahman of the Department of Management Studies has been made the convener of the three-member body. The other two members are Dr Bijon Mohon Chaki from the Department Chemistry and Dr Shafiqur Rahman from the Department of Bangladesh Studies.
When contacted, Dr Matiur Rahman said the committee has already collected video footage and will submit the probe report as soon as the university reopens.
Md Moniruzzaman, police commissioner of Rangpur Metropolitan Police, told reporters that action will be taken if the allegations that a police official shot Abu Sayed dead is found to be true.
Regarding the case statement where there is no mention of the shooting, Md Moniruzzaman said necessary measures will be taken after the investigation is over.
Meanwhile, Sayed’s parents and relatives were taken to Dhaka from Pirganj by the district administration to meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday.
