RU students unhappy at acquittal of Salehi

RU Correspondent

Different student organisations of Rajshahi University (RU) expressed discontent at the judgment into the Prof Taher murder case and rejected the verdict that acquitted the "main" killer of the RU teacher.

Only leaders and activists of Islami Chhatra Shibir rejoiced at the acquittal of Mahbubul Alam Salehi, former president of RU Shibir and also suspected to be one of the masterminds behind the gruesome killing of RU geology and mining department professor Taher Ahmed.

A Rajshahi Speedy Trial Tribunal on Thursday sentenced to death four persons, including RU teacher Dr Mia Mohammad Mohiuddin, for killing Prof Taher and acquitted two.

The RU unit of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) yesterday rejected the judgment and demanded immediate reinvestigation into the case.

BCL RU unit President Ibrahim Hossain Moon alleged that Jamaat-e-Islami and its student front Shibir influenced the case in various ways to have the verdict in their favour.

"If Salehi returns to campus, I think law and order on the campus will deteriorate and Shibir will again create panic here," Moon told The Daily Star.

He said the BCL RU unit will meet the university proctor and students adviser today to place their demand for ensuring coexistence of the leaders and activists of all student organisations in the men's dormitories.

"We will also request the university authorities to monitor Shibir's activities on the campus," he added.

BCL RU unit General Secretary Ayeen Uddin said, "We know Salehi is the killer of Prof Taher...We will launch a movement against the university authorities if Shibir creates panic on the campus through their activities."

Arafat Reza Ashik, convener of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal at RU Sher-e-Bangla Hall, also said, "We are not satisfied by the court judgment."

Taimur Faruk Tushar, president of JSD Chhatra League, said, "We are very much frustrated at the verdict following which we fear Shibir's terrorist activities on campus will increase."

He said, "We know very well that Salehi is the prime killer of Prof Taher Ahmed."

Leaders of Bangladesh Chhatra Union, Samajtantrik Chhatra Front and Bangladesh Chhatra Federation also rejected the verdict and demanded punishment to Salehi as he was the main mastermind of the killing.

Alleging Shibir influence on the case, they also demanded reinvestigation into it.

Many RU teachers also expressed frustration over the verdict.