Oprotim murder: General holiday at Comilla University on Sunday, classes-exams postponed

Comilla University (CoU) administration has decided to observe a general mourning on Sunday over the murder of Ishayat Shahriar Apratim, 13, the only child of Associate Professor of the Bangla Department Dr Nahida Begum. All departmental classes and previously scheduled examinations of the university will remain postponed on that day.

This information was given in a notice issued by the university administration on Saturday night. It said the Comilla University family is deeply grief-stricken and stunned by Oprotim’s murder. The university authorities have strongly condemned and protested the killing and prayed for the salvation of the deceased’s soul.

The notice said the university family has demanded an impartial and proper investigation of the Oprotim murder incident as well as the swift arrest of the persons involved and bringing them under exemplary punishment. At the same time the authorities have expressed deep condolences to the members of the bereaved family.

The new schedule of the examinations that were to be held on Sunday will be informed later through notices of the concerned departments, the notice mentioned.

Earlier Oprotim, 13, went missing after leaving home in Kotbari area on Friday afternoon. After not finding him for a long time, family members as well as teachers-students of the university and police conducted searches in various areas.

Oprotim’s body was recovered from a dense jungle in Paschim Sananda area adjacent to Comilla University on Saturday afternoon. Later police detained several suspects based on various information including CCTV footage.

After the autopsy Oprotim’s body was handed over to the family around 8pm on Saturday. Police are continuing the investigation to identify the cause of the murder and those involved.