Slain blogger Ananta remembered

Family, friends and well-wishers yesterday remembered blogger and science writer Ananta Bijoy Das, who was hacked to death in broad daylight in Sylhet by a group of assailants on May 12, 2015.

Marking his eighth death anniversary, a tribute programme was organised at his memorial in Subid Bazar area, where he was murdered. The temporary monument, "Gyaner Jyoti Chhorabe Ananta, Anantakal" (Ananta will radiate the light of knowledge for eternity), was unveiled on May 12, 2016.

People from all walks of life and several organisations offered flowery tribute to the monument and observed silence in his remembrance.

Misbah Uddin Siraj, former organising secretary of Awami League, Prof Nazia Chowdhury of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Ananta's brother-in-law Samar Bijoy, environmental rights activist Abdul Karim Kim and others spoke at the memorial programme, moderated by Gonojagoron Mancha Sylhet's spokesperson Debashish Debu.

Ananta, a professional banker, was also the editor of the science magazine "Jukti" (logic) and an organiser of the Biggan O Juktibadi Council in Sylhet. He was also the author of several science-related books.

He was attacked in Subidbazar area near his residence, on his way to work. Banned militant outfit Ansarullah Bangla Team claimed responsibility online for the murder.

His brother Ratneshwar filed the murder case, accusing unidentified persons. Later, the case was transferred to CID which pressed charges against six persons on May 9, 2017.

On March 30, a Sylhet Anti-Terrorism Special Tribunal sentenced four persons to death in connection with the murder and acquitted one.