Justice for Tonu: Protests continue across Bangladesh
Dhaka: Protests continued in various parts of Bangladesh, including the capital, on Tuesday against the killing of college girl Sohagi Jahan Tonu as there is still no headway in the probe even in nine days into the heinous incident.
Amid the growing protests, the case filed over the incident was shifted to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Tuesday.
Police super of the district M Shah Abid Hossain transferred the case to the CID from the Detective Branch (DB) of police considering its importance, said officer-in-charge of district DB AKM Manjur Alam.
Earlier on March 27, the case was transferred to the DB from Kotwali Model Police Station. Manjur Alam had been made investigation officer of the case.
People from all walks of life, including students, and different organisations staged demonstrations and formed human chains in the capital and Comilla, Laxmipur, Sylhet, Jhenidah, Bhola, Gazipur and Shariatpur districts, demanding immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of the killers.
In the capital, hundreds of people, including students, blocked Shahbagh intersection, one of the busiest intersections in the city and formed a human chain at the intersection around 1pm, halting traffic in the area.
Witnesses said around Dhaka University 300 students formed a human chain at the intersection around 1pm, disrupting traffic in the busy area.
Later, more protesters from different educational institutions of the city joined the human chain, demanding that the government provide security and protection for women.
The angry students intercepted for a while a Bangladesh Army vehicle passing through the intersection.
They also brought out a procession from Shahbagh intersection which culminated at the starting point after parading ex-Hotel Ruposhi crossing.
Later, they called for a daylong student strike in all the educational institutions across the country on April 3.
They also announced to hold a rally at the foot of Raju Sculpture on the Dhaka University campus at 4pm.
Meanwhile, Association for Law Research and Human Rights brought out a protest rally in Purana Paltan area demanding justice for Tonu’s family.
In Comilla, several organisations, including Sammilita Sangskritik Jote, formed a human chain and held a mass signature campaign in front of Comilla Victoria College, protesting the murder.
Meanwhile, the college authorities arranged a milad mahfil on the college premises for salvation of the departed soul of Tonu.
On the other hand, Tonu’s body will be exhumed under the supervision of Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Lutfun Nahar following the court order. The body might be exhumed on Wednesday.
Vice Chancellor of the National University Prof Dr Harun-or-Rashid also demanded immediate arrest and harshest punishment of Tonu’s killers.
He made the demand while addressing a programme at the NU Senate Auditorium in Gazipur.
Sohagi Jahan Tonu, 19, second year student of History Department of Comilla Victoria College and member of Victoria College Theatre, was found dead in a bush beside a culvert inside the Comilla Cantonment area on March 20. Her head was found smashed as she had been raped before the killing.
She was last seen around 7pm on March 20 leaving the house where she used to tuition a student to make ends meet. Her body was found at about 10:30pm as her family members launched into a frantic search fearing the worst after she did not return home by the usual time, and failing to reach her on her cellphone.