Opritom murder: 12-hour ultimatum with four demands from CoU students

Students of Comilla University (CoU) have staged a human chain demanding proper investigation and quick trial of the murder of 13-year-old Opritom, son of associate professor of Bangla department Dr Nahida Begum. Demands for identifying and arresting those involved in the murder, ensuring trial and taking effective steps for the security of students were raised from the programme organized in front of the main gate of the university on Saturday (September 19).

Students of various departments of the university took part in the human chain. At that time they chanted various slogans including ‘Want justice for Opritom murder’, ‘Want justice justice justice’, ‘Why did my brother die? Administration give answer’. The students said the investigation into the Opritom murder incident must be completed quickly and the responsible persons brought under the law. At the same time they demanded visible initiatives to ensure the security of students in Cumilla city and around the university.

From the programme the students placed four-point demands before the administration. These include identifying those involved in the murder, publishing the progress of investigation and detailed information of the incident within 12 hours and ensuring quick trial. Alongside taking effective measures for the security of students in Cumilla city and surrounding areas and admitting the responsibility of the concerned administration and law enforcement agency officials for the failure to ensure security were demanded.

Besides they demanded establishment of a permanent police outpost beside the university for emergency security of the students. Calling on the Cumilla administration to take visible steps within 12 hours to ensure the security of students including the Opritom murder the students said if the demands are not met strict programmes including blockade of highway and university will be given.

In the human chain Comilla University student Hasan Antor said what progress has been made in the investigation within 12 hours must be informed in front of the students. He warned of going for highway blockade programme if visible steps are not taken. According to him the death of Opritom has created insecurity and anger not only for one family but also among the general students of the university.

Hasan Antor also raised questions about the investigation process of the incident. He said students had to play a role in collecting CCTV footage and detaining one person. It also took time for the forensic team to reach the spot. His question is what was the responsibility of the administration if the forensic team could not go to the spot quickly due to shortage of vehicle even after knowing the incident in the morning.

Another student said Opritom was a known child to the students and teachers of the university. They had seen him playing regularly. He also commented that accepting his death is difficult. According to the students deep grief and anger have been created among them over this incident as Dr Nahida Begum is like a mother to them.

Earlier Opritom went missing after going out from the house in Kotbari on Friday afternoon. Later the last location of his mobile phone was found in the social forestry area adjacent to Comilla University. On Saturday morning the students of the university went out to search for him. At one stage they went to the spot after getting the news from a local person of a child’s body lying beside the hill. Later the body was identified as Opritom’s. Police have said there are marks of serious injury on the child’s head. Investigation is on to identify the cause of the incident and those involved.