JCD calls hartal over arrest of its men

Rajshahi University unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal will enforce a dawn-to-dusk hartal in the city and at all educational institutions there on Monday, demanding immediate identification and arrest of the "real" killers of Prof AKM Shafiul Islam.

Imtiaz Ahmed, RU unit JCD president, made announcement of the hartal, from 6:00am to 6:00pm, from a protest rally at Bhubon Mohon Park in Rajshahi city.

“Law enforcers arrested many of our leaders and activists in the murder case. Later two law enforcement agencies came up with different versions. We want law enforcers identify the real culprits properly and arrest them,” Imtiaz told The Daily Star.

Prof Shafiul, 48, of sociology was hacked to death by unidentified assailants in front of his house near RU campus on November 15.

Initially, police claimed that militants and Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatra Shibir killed the professor due to his adoration for mystic philosopher Lalon. However, Rapid Action Battalion said it was an act of some Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal and Chhatra Dal men over personal grudges.

Police later changed its version and backed Rab's.

Law enforcers have so far arrested 17 people, including six Jubo Dal and Chhatra Dal men and eight Jamaat-Shibir men, and remanded 12 of them.