CoU students issue 12-hour ultimatum over murder

Students of Comilla University (CoU) have issued a 12-hour ultimatum demanding a proper investigation and swift trial in the murder of 13-year-old Apratim, son of university Bangla department Associate Professor Dr Nahida Begum.

They announced the ultimatum at a human chain held in front of the university’s main gate on Saturday. Students from different departments joined the programme and demanded the identification, arrest and punishment of everyone involved in the killing.

Their four demands include making public the progress and details of the investigation within 12 hours, ensuring swift justice, taking visible measures to ensure students’ security in Comilla city and surrounding areas, and establishing a permanent police outpost near the university.

They also demanded that the university and police authorities acknowledge their responsibility for failing to ensure students’ security and take visible steps within 12 hours.

The students warned that they would block the highway and university premises if their demands were not met.

CoU student Hasan Antor said the superintendent of police must inform them within 12 hours about the steps taken in the investigation. “If there is no visible action within 12 hours, we will block the highway,” he said.

Apratim went missing after leaving his home in Kotbari on Friday afternoon. His body was recovered from a hillock in Lalmai hills in Sadar South upazila on Saturday morning.

Police said there were signs of severe injury to his head. The incident is under investigation.

- MaT