Dhaka, Feb 03 (bdnews24.com) -- At least 75 people have been killed on Dhaka University campus since independence in 1971, but so far not a single person has been prosecuted for the violent deaths.
The latest victim was Abu Bakar Siddique, a third-year student of Islamic history, grievously wounded during a clash between rival factions of the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) at AF Rahman Hall in the early hours of Tuesday. He died on Wednesday morning.
The deaths have almost all occurred during violence sparked by political rivalry, control over the campus, extortion and 'tender terror' or factional infighting. The victims include innocent university students, student front activists, hoodlums and a senior government official.
DU vice-chancellor Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique said on Wednesday the university wants to emerge from the culture in which killers can avoid punishment.
"The rule of law has been established (in the country). We want to establish it at Dhaka University so that such incidents don't recur," he told journalists after the death of Abu Bakar.
CHRONOLOGY OF CAMPUS KILLINGS
The following chronology is based on collections of newspaper reports of the time:
1974: The first campus killings occurred on April 4, 1974, when seven students were murdered. The trial court in 1978 awarded jail terms to the killers but they managed to escape punishment because of political interference.
1977: Two associates of Luku, leader of a faction of BCL, were killed in Surya Sen hall over rivalry with Auranga group. Luku was slaughtered near Katabon Market later. Auranga's brother Rontu was killed allegedly by the cadres of Noor group.
1978: Two students, including BCL activist Liakat, were killed in 1978.
1983: Body of a student, Joynul, was found following a police-student clash on Feb 13.
1985: Raufun Basunia was shot dead during a clash between Chhatra Sangram Parishad and pro-BNP Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) in front of Haji Muhammad Muhsin hall on Feb 13.
1986: One was killed in a JCD-Chhatra League (JSD) clash on the Central Shaheed Minar on Feb 21. Chhatra Union leader Aslam was shot dead on March 31 when a procession, taken out in protest against a JCD-BCL clash over DUCSU election, came under attack in front of Lecture Theatre.
1987: JCD leader Bablu and his associates Moinuddin and Noor Mohammad died in a bomb blast at Haji Muhammad Muhsin hall on Mar 8. JCD activist Halim was killed on July 14 during a clash with Chhatra League (JSD). His death triggered fresh clash between the two student organisations at SM hall leaving Chhatra League activist Munna dead.
1988: JCD leader Bazlur Rahman escaped an attempt on his life on Dec 6, but was killed in a second attempt on Dec 11.
1989: Chhatra League (JSD) activist Kafil was shot dead during a clash between JCD and Chhatra Sangram Parishad in front of Madhu's canteen on Feb 9. A finance department student of SM hall was killed on Dec 29.
1990: A Surya Sen hall student, Alamgir Kabir, was killed on Feb 21. BCL Jahurul Haque hall unit president Chunnu was shot dead during a gunfight between Haji Muhammad Muhsin hall JCD activists and Jahural Haque hall BCL men on Feb 25. Body of a student, Shaheen, was found at Fazlul Hauqe hall the same day. BCL activist Khokon was killed on Apr 13 in a sequel to intra-party conflict. Another student, Nimaichandra, was killed allegedly by JCD cadres on Nov 26. Bangladesh Medical Association leader and anti-Ershad activist Dr Milon died on Nov 27 in a sniping gun attack beside the central library.
1991: Chhatra League (JSD) activist Mahboob was killed in a clash with BCL activists on June 20; JCD man Galib and BCL man Mizan were killed in attacks by rival student groups the same year.
1992: BCL organising secretary Moniruzzman Badal was shot dead on Jan 9 in front of Shamsunnahar hall. All the 14 accused in the case were acquitted by the court. Chhatra Union leader Moyeen Hossain Raju died in a gun attack on a Mar 14 procession of Gonotrantrick Chhatra Oikya, an alliance of nine student organisations, taken out demanding stopping campus terrorism and trial of Golam Azam, the then Jamaat-e-Islami chief. BCL activist Laku and JCD men Mamun and Mahmud also fell victim to campus violence the same year.
1993: JCD activists Pavel, Jinnah and Sarwar Ahmed Mithu, and BCL men Anik and Kamrul Islam Bulbul were killed.
1996: A student of Jagannath hall was killed in a sequel to BCL intra-party conflict.
1997: Bangabandhu hall student Arif was shot dead as a consequence of JCD intra-party conflict and body of a student, Shaheen, was found at Curzon hall.
1998: BCL leader Partha Pratim Acharya was killed. JCD leader Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anny and few others were arrested in connection with the killing. But all secured release later.
2000: A joint secretary of local government ministry, Nikunja Bihari Nag, was stabbed to death by muggers on the campus on Jan 1. JCD Jahurul Haque unit leader Mahbubul Haq Khokon was killed in an attack by his rival group on Sep 15.
2003: Bodies of two businessmen of city's Mohammadpur area, Yasmin and Ismail, were found in a vehicle in front of Basunia gate of Haji Muhammad Muhsin hall on Dec 25.
2004: Body of an alleged terrorist of Elephant road area, Shamu, was retrieved from the garage near Arts building on July 17.
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