Killings of students: Chhatra Dal blames 'defeated forces', Nagorik Committee demands immediate action

Chhatra Dal and Nagorik Committee has expressed concern over the recent killings of three students. 

"The forces defeated in the student and public uprising have embarked on a covert assassination mission targeting the participants of the uprising. The consecutive murders of several activists by criminals are extremely alarming," said Chhatra Dal President Rakibul Islam Rakib and General Secretary Nasir Uddin in a joint statement issued today (18 December). 

They also mentioned that several students have received death threats from members of Awami League and its banned student organisation, Chhatra League. 

"This situation has created a security risk for all individuals involved in the student and public uprising," read the joint statement. 

Accusing the interim government of failing to ensure proper security for the participants in the July movement, the statement said the government has also utterly failed to control the law and order situation.

‘Suspicious’ deaths of July protesters spark protests

The leadership urgently called on the interim government to take strict measures to control the law and order situation in the country and ensure the safety of the students and people.

Meanwhile, Samantha Sharmin, spokesperson for the Nagorik Committee, said, "We are witnessing covert murders of students in various places. What stance will the government take on covert murders? What measures will they take? They must inform us within 24 hours."

Referring to the students as the force in the field during the uprising, the spokesperson said, "If they can be covertly murdered, and if we do not see proper action from the government, then we must question who actually is in the government."

On 12 December, American International University of Bangladesh student Wazed Alam Simanto, 20, was brutally stabbed allegedly by muggers in the Deobhog area of Narayanganj. Simanta, a Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) student, succumbed to his injuries two days later at 10:15pm on 14 December while undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, his father Haji Alam Chan told TBS today. 

"He was on way to his university on 12 December at around 8am. After a few moments, I got a call from an unknown number that he got into an accident and we rushed to the spot. He was stabbed on his head, hands and thighs with machetes and sharp weapons. His wallet with Tk1,800 and his mobile phone was snatched. 

Narayanganj Sadar Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Nasiruddin said it was a mugging incident and the main culprit has already been arrested.

On the same day, 12 December, Tasbir Hossain Shihan, 26, a student of the English Department of East West University was attacked at Mowchak area of Gazipur on his way to office in Uttara around 6am. 

"He was brutally attacked with knives and his dead body was deserted at Mowchak area of Gazipur near a police outpost," Shihan's batchmate Nazifa Zannat told The Business Standard.

"Highway police and local police were in a dilemma which unit's jurisdiction was the place of the incident. At least four hours later his dead body was recovered and sent to a local hospital for autopsy. 

"Initially, six individuals were arrested in a case filed over mugging. We don't buy the theory. We need proper investigation and the reasons behind the gruesome murder. The truth needs to come to light," she added.

Meanwhile, on 17 December, a youth was stabbed to death in the TG Colony area under Bandar Police Station in Chattogram.

The deceased was identified as Jashim Uddin, 25, son of Joynal Abedin, originally from Bhola but residing in the TG Colony. 

Locals claimed that Jashim had participated in the student movement in July-August. A photo and a video of Jashim claiming to take part in the movement have been circulating on social media. However, The Business Standard could not independently confirm his participation in the movement.