RU remembers martyred teacher Quayum

Rajshahi University authorities for the first time formally remembered martyred intellectual Mir Abdul Quayum yesterday.

A three-hour meeting starting at 10:30am was held at Martyred Taj Uddin Memorial Senate Building, RU sources said.

The Department of Psychology, which Quayum belonged to, organised the meeting presided over by Prof Mahbuba Kaniz Keya, the department chairperson and Quayum's daughter.

Pakistani army abducted Mir Abdul Quayum, a professor of psychology, from his Ghoramara residence in Rajshahi city on November 25, 1971 and killed him. His body was found after the independence along with those of 16 others from Babla Ban mass grave.

Professor Emeritus of Physics Arun Kumar Basak,

the principal speaker at the memorial meeting, said Quayum's department colleagues, who collaborated with Pakistan army, were responsible for his death.

Addressing the programme as chief guest, RU Vice Chancellor Prof Golam Sabbir Sattar assured of protecting the history of sacrifices the university teachers and students made during the Liberation War.

Retired psychology teacher Prof Taskina Faruque said she saw Prof Quayum inspiring students openly.

Prof Ruhul Amin Pramanik said he lifted up the bodies including Quayum's from the mass grave. Journalist Mustafizur Rahman Khan Alam said he carried Quayum's body home from the grave.