PM: Khadiza’s attacker must be punished

Addressing the House during a parliamentary session yesterday, she said: “We are not giving the culprit any indulgence; he must get punishment,” She also alleged that a section of the press and a quarter with vested interest were trying to highlight the incident from a political standpoint, reported BSS. The prime minister criticised the onlookers who did not step forward to save Khadiza from the attack. Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal paid a visit to Square Hospital to see Khadiza yesterday and said necessary steps would be taken for quick trial of Badrul, reported UNB. During the visit, the home minister inquired about Khadiza’s condition from the doctors. Khadiza, 23, an honours second-year student at Sylhet Government Women’s College, was attacked on Monday evening by Badrul Alam, fourth-year economics student at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) and a top leader of Chhatra League’s SUST wing, while she was on her way back home after taking an exam at Sylhet MC College exam centre. Locals rescued a severely wounded Khadiza and took her to Osmani Medical College Hospital, while others gave Badrul a good beating before handing him over to Shahporan police station. The victim was transferred to Square Hospital in Dhaka on Tuesday morning, where she is currently on life support and under observation for 72 hours. Senior BNP leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy also demanded speedy trial and punishment of Badrul yesterday, but expressed doubt on whether Khadiza would get due justice. “The government failed to ensure the trial of the murders of journalist couple Sagar-Runi  and Comilla college student Sohagi Jahan Tonu. Khadiza’s incident may also be brushed under the carpet,” he said at a human chain event held by Jaityabadi Mahila Dal in front of National Press Club. The human chain was held in protest of the attack on Khadiza, reported UNB.Demonstrations held in SylhetFellow classmates of Khadiza at Sylhet Government Women’s College staged demonstrations in Sylhet city yesterday demanding punishment for Badrul, our Sylhet correspondent reported. The started their demonstrations by trying to block the Jindabazar-Chauhatta-Ambarkhana Road. Before moving to the deputy commissioner’s office around 11am, where they submitted a memorandum addressed to the prime minister demanding highest punishment for Badrul, case trial under speedy trial tribunal, safety for women and no defence counsel for Badrul. Additional Deputy Commissioner Syed Aminur Rahman received the memorandum on the deputy commissioner’s behalf. Students said they would continue their protest on their college campus. “We and speedy trial. We want security,” said Fazilatunnesa, spokesperson for the protesting students. Former students of the college as well as students of Sylhet MC College held protests as well. Sylhet Kotwali police station OC Sohel Ahmed said traffic was slightly disrupted in the city because of the demonstrations.