Human Chain Protesting Murder of RU Teachers, Ruta will demonstrate on highway every Saturday

RU Correspondent

Rajshahi University Teachers' Association (Ruta) yesterday formed a human chain in front of the university main gate demanding immediate arrest and punishment to killers of Prof Muhammad Yunus and Prof S Taher Ahmed.

Several hundred teachers, students and officials took part in the human chain stretching from Binodpur bazaar to Kazla gate. Participants carried placards and banners during the human chain.

Later, a meeting was held in front of the university main gate. The meeting was presided by Ruta president Prof Nazrul Islam.

At the meeting, Prof Nazrul declared that Ruta would hold human chain on the Rajshahi-Dhaka highway every Saturday till their demands were met.

General students and activists of progressive student bodies expressed their solidarity with the programme and took part in the human chain.

Rajshahi Professionals' Coordinating Council also demonstrated in the city demanding immediate arrest of Shibir leader Salehi and speedy trial of both the killings.

A big procession paraded the main streets of the city.

Afterwards, a meeting was held at Shaheb Bazar with Council convenor and former Rajshahi University vice chancellor (VC) Prof Saidur Rahman Khan in the chair.

Among others, Dr Shafikul Islam, former RU VC Prof Abdul Khalek, RU Bangabandhu Parishad president Prof Mokhlesur Rahman, Lawyers' Bar joint secretary Entajul Haque, District Teachers' Association secretary Abdul Bari and journalist Hasan Millat addressed the meeting.

University unit of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) also took out a procession and held a meeting in front of the central library. Its vice president Alberuni Faruk led the procession and presided over the meeting.

BCL leaders said Jamaat-Shibir leaders are trying to protect Prof Taher's alleged killer Salehi. They threatened a tougher agitation against the BNP-Jamaat government if Salehi is not arrested and punished.

BCL leaders Obidur Rahman, Alberuni Faruk, Tapas Kumar and Zahid Ali addressed the meeting.

On contact, Motihar Police Station officer-in-charge (OC) Faizur Rahman said police Friday night attached the movable property of Zafar Babu, prime accused in Prof Yunus Murder Case.

He said Islami Chhatra Shibir activist Babu has been absconding since the incident.

Earlier, a warrant for arrest of Mahbubul Alam Salehi, RU Shibir president, was issued in connection with the murder of Prof Taher.

Rajshahi University Economics Department teacher Prof Yunus was killed near his Binodpur residence in the city on December 24, 2004. Prof Taher of Geology and Mining Department was murdered on February 3 and his body was dumped in a septic tank in front of his residence.