Rezaul murder: Teachers express dismay over lack of progress in investigation

The Bangladesh University Teachers' Association Federation has expressed dismay at the lack of progress in the investigation into the murder of Rajshahi University English teacher AFM Rezaul Karim Siddiquee.

Rajshahi University Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 3 May 2016, 05:56 PM
Updated : 3 May 2016, 05:56 PM

Federation President Fariduddin Ahmed said: "A Liberation War government is in power but their attitude does not match [the ideals of] the Liberation War. The assurances they are repeatedly giving fail to reassure us." 

"Turning justice into a farce by dragging the matter year after year won't do."

He warned that teachers would resort to a tough movement if Siddiquee's killers were not given exemplary punishment.

He was speaking at a rally organised by the Rajshahi University Teachers' Association near the university's senate building on Tuesday in protest against Siddiquee's murder.

Prof Siddiquee was hacked to death barely 50 yards from his home in the city's Shalbagan area.

Rajshahi University Vice Chancellor Muhammad Mizanuddin, too, demanded exemplary punishment for Siddiquee's killers.

The members of Prof Siddiquee's family alleged there was no visible progress in the investigation. His widow Ara Shila was present at the rally.

"Eleven days have passed but no one has seen any sign of hope. Will I get justice for Siddiquee's murder?" she asked. "Have those killed before him got justice?"

Over the past few years, writers, publishers and bloggers have been hacked to death but there has been little headway in bringing the criminals to book.

Four Rajshahi University teachers have been killed over the past 12 years but the cases are yet to be resolved.

Prof Siddiquee's daughter seemed to see no hope, either.

"The culture of impunity that I see in the country doesn't make me hopeful. My request to the government is that justice be done in my father's murder."

Protest continues

Students of various Rajshahi University departments joined Tuesday's gathering.

Earlier, in the morning, English department students walked through the university's many roads in a protest march that culminated in joining the gathering.

Rajshahi Sadar MP Fazle Hossain Badshah expressed solidarity, saying several bloggers had been murdered but their killers had not been brought to justice, nor had the killers of minorities.

Rajshahi University Teachers' Association General Secretary Prof Shah Azam Santanu moderated the event, presided over by association president Md Shahidullah.

Bangladesh Open University Vice Chancellor Mokaddam Hossain, Bangladesh University Teachers Association Federation Vice President Ananda Kumar Saha and BUET Teachers Association President Nirendra Nath Mostafi were present among others.