'I demand quick justice for all killings'
The killing of bloggers because of their views clearly shows how hostile the environment is for free thinking, Prof Ajoy Roy said yesterday.
“Some writers express their opinions and thoughts on the internet. If you don't like them, create another blog and write another piece. But the bloggers were murdered, rather than countered with logic,” said the father of writer-blogger Avijit Roy who was murdered on February 26, 2015.
Addressing an event held on the occasion of the second death anniversary of Avijit, he said, “I demand quick justice for all killings, not only Avijit's murder.”
In the two years, the court fixed 22 dates for the investigation officer to submit the probe report, but police failed to complete the probe. The next deadline for submitting the report is March 27.
“I have been assured that the probe report of the murder would be submitted to the court very soon. I hope they will keep their words,” said the grieving father, addressing yesterday's event organised by a faction of Gonojagoron Mancha in front of the National Museum.
Suspected militants hacked to death Avijit, founder of Mukto-Mona blog, near the Teacher-Student Centre on the Dhaka University campus. His wife Rafida Ahmed Bonya was also injured in the attack.
Ajoy, a professor of physics, also slammed the government for “bringing changes to school textbooks prescribed by Hefajat-e Islam, which has taken up the task of turning Bangladesh into a Pakistan-like state”.
Lawyer Rana Dasgupta, general secretary of Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Oikya Parishad, also expressed dismay. He said, “We are shocked to see the state being submissive to the Hefajat.”
Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University AAMS Arefin Siddique said, “History testifies that the extremists always bow down when progressives stand united. Sometimes we face challenges and hurdles but we have always won.”
On a similar note, Nazim Uddin, father of another slain blogger Ahmed Rajib Haider, said, “I have lost my son. But I know the youths of Gonojagoron Mancha would resist all attempts to turn Bangladesh into a communal state. Countless Rajibs would give up their lives to resist those doing politics using religion.”
Imran H Sarkar, spokesperson of a faction of Gonojagoron Mancha, said, “The government is engaged in a cat-and-mouse game [with the militants]. A game that strengthens its [the government's] power while our comrades are being killed.”
PROBE DELAY
Police said the investigation of the sensational murder was being delayed as law enforcers were yet to arrest the six suspects who were present during the murder.
Abdul Baten, joint commissioner of Detective Branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), told reporters on Saturday that police would submit the charge sheet as soon as they arrest the six.
Their involvement with the banned militant outfit Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) has been confirmed, he added. He, however, did not disclose the name of the suspects.
Police so far arrested eight people in connection with the murder.
Seven of the suspects -- Shafiur Rahman Farabi, Sadekur Rahman Mithu, Alimul Mallik, Towhidur Rahman, Julhaj Biswas and Jafran -- are now behind bars.
Suspect Abul Bashar, brother of ABT's spiritual leader Jashim Uddin Rahmani, died while undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. The jail authorities had taken him to DMCH when he fell ill.
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