BRUR files case against 71 individuals in the murder of Abu Sayeed

 

The administration of Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur (BRUR) has filed a case against 71 individuals, including police officers, Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) leaders, teachers, officials, and employees, in connection with the murder of Abu Sayeed.

The case was filed by the university’s registrar, Dr. Md. Harun Or Rashid, with the Tajhat Metropolitan police station today. The case includes charges against 71 named individuals and 80-100 unidentified people, accusing them of attacking students during the July protests.

Both BRUR Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md Showkat Ali and Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Tajhat Metropolitan police station Md. Akhteruzzaman confirmed the filing to BSS tonight.

According to the case, on July 11, 15, and 16, 2024, BRUR students were peacefully protesting under the anti-discrimination student movement banner in front of Gate No. 1 of the university and on the adjacent highway. At that time, Chhatra League, Jubo League, and Awami League leaders, activists, and armed individuals launched an attack on the students using sticks, iron rods, spears, hand bombs, firearms, pistols, and other weapons.

Additionally, the police reportedly fired pellets and tear gas at the students, resulting in the death of Abu Sayeed, a student of the English department, and injuries to several other students.

Among those accused are eight police officials, 13 university officials and employees, two teachers, 36 Chhatra League leaders and activists, and 12 local leaders and activists of Awami League and its affiliated organizations.

The eight police officials accused include Assistant Commissioners Md. Al Imran Hossain and Md. Arifuzzaman, OC of Tajhat Metropolitan police station Rabiul Islam, BRUR Police Outpost In-Charge Bibhuti Bhushan Roy, Constables Sujan Chandra Roy and Amir Ali, Deputy Commissioner Md. Abu Maruf Hossain, and Additional Deputy Commissioner Md. Shahanur Alam Patwari.

The 36 BCL leaders and activists named in the case include Pomel Barua (President), Mahfuzur Rahman Shamim (General Secretary), Masudul Hasan (Joint Secretary), Babul Hossain (Office Secretary), and Dhaononjoy Kumar Das alias Tagar, among others.

The two BRUR teachers accused are Assistant Professor Mashiur Rahman (Department of Mathematics) and Associate Professor Asaduzzaman Mondal Asad (Department of Public Administration).

The list of accused university officials and employees includes Assistant Registrar Hafizur Rahman Tufan, Section Officer Moniruzzaman (Polash), and various others.

Also named are local leaders of Awami League and its associate bodies, including Zikarul Mahbub Shobhan, Shamim Hasan Hitan, and Mehedi Hasan Siddique Roni.

In an interview with BSS, BRUR Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Showkat Ali mentioned that a probe committee had been formed after the second independence on August 5 to investigate those involved in suppressing the student movement and the subsequent violence. The committee reviewed videos and evidence, identifying 71 individuals, which led to the filing of the case today.

He stated, “After reviewing everything, a case was filed today, mentioning the names of 71 individuals and about 100 unidentified people. The law will take its course.”

Abu Sayeed, a student of the English department, was a key figure in the anti-discrimination student movement and became the first martyr of the July protests. He was shot dead by the police on July 16, 2024, during the protests.

The viral video of Abu Sayeed’s martyrdom, showing him with his arms outstretched and his chest exposed to bullets, sparked outrage both in Bangladesh and abroad, fueling the momentum of the July Revolution. This event ultimately contributed to the collapse of Sheikh Hasina’s government, leading to her fleeing to India on August 5.