Dastardly killing of RU professor

WE condemn in the strongest terms the brutal killing of Professor Shafiul Islam of Rajshahi University. The fingers are being pointed at extremists groups, and even one such group has claimed responsibility for the killing. It seems that the Rajshahi University has become unsafe for teachers given that in the last ten years Prof. Islam is the third teacher to be killed, all victims of religious extremist groups

One fails to understand the motive of the killing. The deceased was an affable person given to sedentary way of life.  

It may be true that some people may have differed with his views but does that give one the right to kill a person? If those who claim to have perpetrated the grisly crime have done so for religion one wonders what religion they are talking about. Certainly Islam does not sanction such acts of violence.

What sort of country are we living in where university teachers have to seek protection of their life? But such is the case with the university and its surrounding areas that is predominated by religious extremists and the police apparently able to do little. Given the volatile character of the area one wonders why there is lax police presence there.

We understand that several persons have been arrested, including two teachers of the local Islamia College, in connection with the killing. We would want to see quick investigation and prosecution of the culprits and at the same time want the authorities to curb the extremist activities in the area to prevent such painful incidents in future.