The Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur (BRUR) administration has filed a case against 71 individuals—including police officials, leaders of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), and university teachers, officers, and staff—in connection with the murder of student Abu Sayeed.
BRUR Registrar Dr Harun-or Rashid filed the case on Wednesday at Tajhat Metropolitan Police Station, naming 71 individuals and 80–100 unidentified persons for allegedly attacking students during the July protests, reports BSS.
Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Md Showkat Ali and Tajhat Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Akhteruzzaman confirmed the filing to BSS at night.
According to the case statement, BRUR students were staging peaceful demonstrations under the banner of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement in front of the university's Gate No. 1 and the adjacent highway on July 11, 15, and 16, 2024, at around 2:00 pm.
It alleges that leaders and activists of the BCL, Jubo League, Awami League, and their affiliated groups attacked the protesters with sticks, iron rods, spears, beki, ramda, kirich, brickbats, hand bombs, firearms, and other weapons.
Police also reportedly fired rubber bullets and tear gas at the students, killing Abu Sayeed, a student of the Department of English, and injuring several others.
The accused include eight police officials, 13 university officials and employees, two teachers, 36 BCL leaders and activists, and 12 local Awami League leaders and associates. An additional 80 to 100 unidentified individuals were also named.
The eight accused police officials are: Assistant Commissioners of Police Md Al Imran Hossain and Md Arifuzzaman; OC Rabiul Islam of Tajhat Police Station; BRUR Police Outpost In-Charge Bibhuti Bhushan Roy; Constables Sujan Chandra Roy and Amir Ali; Deputy Commissioner of Police Md Abu Maruf Hossain; and Additional Deputy Commissioner Md Shahanur Alam Patwari.
Among the 36 BCL leaders and activists named are BRUR unit President Pomel Barua, General Secretary Mahfuzur Rahman Shamim, Joint Secretary Masudul Hasan, Office Secretary Babul Hossain, and Organizing Secretary Dhananjay Kumar Das alias Tagar.
The two accused teachers are: Assistant Professor of Mathematics Mashiur Rahman and Associate Professor of Public Administration Asaduzzaman Mondal Asad.
University officials and employees named in the case include: Assistant Registrar Hafizur Rahman Tufan, Deputy Registrar (Security) Touhidul Islam (Johnny), Assistant Registrar (Proctor’s Office) Rafiul Hasan Russell, Assistant Registrar Moktarul Islam, and Deputy Registrar Most Mahbuba Akhter, among others.
Twelve Awami League and affiliated leaders from Rangpur, including Zikarul Mahbub Shobhan, Shamim Hasan Hitan, and Rangpur District Jubo League General Secretary Mehedi Hasan Siddique Roni, were also named.
Speaking to BSS, Vice Chancellor Dr Showkat Ali said that a probe committee was formed following what he termed the "second independence" on August 5 to investigate the suppression of the student movement and subsequent unrest on campus.
“After reviewing video footage and other evidence, the committee identified 71 individuals and submitted its report. Based on this, a case has been filed today (Wednesday). The law will now take its course,” he added.
Students and teachers of BRUR played a prominent role in the anti-discrimination movement in Rangpur. Abu Sayeed, a student of the English department, was regarded as a frontline activist and was killed during the protest on July 16.
Footage of Sayeed’s death—reportedly showing him with arms outstretched and chest exposed—circulated widely on social media, sparking national and international outrage.
Following his death, the movement intensified and ultimately led to the fall of the fascist Sheikh Hasina government, which reportedly collapsed on August 5 when she left the country for India.
Bd-pratidin English/FNC
