Oprotim murder: Demand for DNA test to determine age of accused

Associate Professor of the Bangla Department of Comilla University Dr Kamrun Nahar Shila has demanded a DNA test to determine the real age of the four accused arrested in the murder case of Oprotim, the son of Dr Nahida Begum. At the same time she has demanded investigating whether there is any connection of the Oprotim murder with the teenage gang and any previous dispute.

Dr Shila said these at a human chain organized at the Shaheed Abdul Qayyum courtyard of the university around 10:30am demanding the quick trial of those involved in the Oprotim murder on Monday (September 21). The teachers’ association of the university organized this human chain.

Dr Kamrun Nahar Shila said she was with the mother of Oprotim till 12 o’clock on Sunday night. She has come to know some information from her. She also informed that among the four arrested in the case one named Fahad had taken a job without salary at the business establishment of Oprotim’s father about 10 days ago.

Dr Shila said the mother of Oprotim had conducted an anti-drug drive in the area while she was the assistant proctor. At that time several members of the teenage gang had been handed over to the police. She has come to know that two of them were members of the teenage gang of Tuhin.

According to the statement of Dr Shila, the mother of Oprotim wants the police to investigate and see whether her son has been killed as a result of the revenge of that incident. Alongside she demanded examining whether there is any connection of these incidents with the Oprotim murder.

Dr Shila demanded verifying through DNA test whether those among the arrested accused who are being claimed as minors are actually minors. She demanded ensuring the appropriate punishment of the criminals even by amending the law if necessary.

At the human chain Professor of the Physics Department Dr Md Abu Taher said Oprotim is a son of the Comilla University family. He has been killed brutally. He thanked for the accused being arrested quickly due to the activity of the administration. At the same time he demanded ensuring the quick trial and punishment of the Oprotim murder.

He further said the Comilla University area has become crime-prone. The misdeeds of drugs and teenage gangs have to be suppressed quickly. He demanded taking measures so that the university remains safe for everyone including the teachers and students.

Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Comilla University Professor Dr Mohammad Amjad Hossain Sarkar said the way Oprotim has been killed is extremely brutal. He called on the local administration to take quick measures to ensure the security of the teachers and students in the university and the surrounding area.

Earlier on Sunday noon Superintendent of Police of Cumilla Md Anisuzzaman informed the information of arresting four persons on the allegation of being involved in the Oprotim murder. They are Saiful Islam Tuhin, 19, two teenagers of 15 and 16 years of age and Md Siyam, 19. According to the information given by the police, the other three except Siyam have given confessional statements at the Comilla court on Sunday night.

Oprotim went missing from the area adjacent to Comilla University last Friday. The next day police recovered his body from a jungle near the university. Later Tuhin was first detained and then the others by analyzing the short message of the iPhone that was in the hand of Oprotim and the CCTV footage.