Students block Khulna road demanding Azmul killers' arrest

Students of North Western University blocked a road in Sonadanga for three hours on Monday, demanding the arrest of those involved in the killing of student Azmul Hossain.

They began the protest around 10:30 AM in front of the university, blocking the road and setting fire to tyres. Teachers also joined the protest.

The students gave police a 24-hour ultimatum to arrest the named accused, warning of tougher programmes if their demand is not met.

The blockade halted long-distance and local bus services from Sonadanga Bus Terminal, causing suffering to passengers. Around 1 PM, KMP Additional Police Commissioner Mohammad Shahnewaz Khaled and Khulna City Corporation Administrator Nazrul Islam Manju met the protesters.

Police said several teams were conducting drives to arrest the accused and promised to submit the charge sheet within a month.

Following the assurances, students withdrew the blockade around 1:30 PM, giving police 24 hours to make arrests.

Azmul, a first-year English Language and Literature student, was allegedly beaten at a mess on September 18 over an accusation of stealing rice. A case was filed against four Khulna University students and 20-25 unidentified people.

-AJM