'They didn't let her live': Grieving mother of Abontika seeks justice
Both Amman Siddique and Deen Islam were arrested
Tahmina Shabnam, still reeling from the loss of her husband Jamal Uddin, a former professor at Cumilla Government College, last Ramadan, now faces the unbearable pain of her daughter Fairuz Abontika's suicide.
Abontika, a Jagannath University law student, hanged herself at her home in Cumilla's Bagichagaon after writing a Facebook post on Friday night.
In the post, she named assistant proctor Deen Islam and law department student Amman Siddique as responsible for her decision, accusing both of harassing her.
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Both Amman Siddique and Deen Islam were arrested today, confirmed DMP Commissioner Habibur Rahman. Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Detective Branch assisted in the arrests.
"I lost my husband last Ramadan, and now, I lost my daughter. Within a year, both my husband and daughter have left me," Tahmina shared at her residence in Cumilla yesterday as her voice was breaking with grief.
"My daughter was incredibly energetic. She got selected as a GD [General Duty] pilot, is that her fault? Is her brilliance her fault? She was first in her class, is that her fault? They didn't let her live. She was a brave girl. Without getting justice, she chose the path of suicide…" the mother recounted.
Tahmina also said that her daughter sought justice from the authorities but did not receive any. "Now at least I want justice for my daughter. If I don't get it, I along with my son will end ourselves," she warned.
The news of Avantika's death stirred Jagannath University and a group of students, while staging a demonstration yesterday, demanded punishment for the culprits responsible for her demise.
Calling the death a planned murder, they placed a five-point demand with a 24-hour ultimatum.
The demands include a fair and impartial investigation, arrest and permanent expulsion of Amman Siddique and Deen Islam, safety of the victim's family, filing of a case by the university administration, and making Anti-Sexual Harassment Cell of the university effective.
Also, Jagannath University authorities temporarily relieved the assistant proctor of his duties and expelled Amman Siddique, according to a press release.
"We are aware of the situation. Since one of the accused is a member of our proctorial team, the vice-chancellor has verbally instructed us to temporarily relieve him," said Professor Dr Jahangir Hossain, the university's proctor.
The next steps will be taken based on the legal process and the outcome of the investigation, he added.
A five-member probe committee, led by the university's teachers' association president Zakir Hossain, has been instructed to submit its report to the Vice-Chancellor promptly, reads the press release.
Meanwhile, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Chairman Dr Kamal Uddin Ahmed yesterday said there is no place for any kind of physical or mental torture in educational institutions.
In a press statement, Kamal Uddin said, "It is necessary to properly investigate the incident of suicide and ensure exemplary punishment for the instigators."
He further said, "We are concerned about the recent incidents of moral degradation, including harassment of female students in educational institutions. Strong measures need to be taken in this regard.
"The commission calls upon the concerned ministries and the government to expeditiously finalise and implement the draft law on prevention of sexual harassment."
