Protest erupts at Kushtia Islamic University over student's suspicious death

Students of Islamic University, Kushtia have staged demonstration on the campus in protest against the death of a fellow student in a campus pond.

The protesting students have also pressed home several demands in the wake of the incident, including enhanced security measures for the campus, alongside justice for the student's death.

Earlier, on 17 July, the body of Sajid Abdullah, a student of the university's Al-Quran and Islamic Studies Department of the 2021-22 session, was recovered from a pond on the campus.

Eyewitnesses said the body had blood on several parts, and it bore multiple injury marks, supporting the students' suspicion that Sajid might have been murdered.

Around 11:30am today (19 July), a gayebana janaja (funeral prayer in absentia) was organised for the soul of Sajid at the university's central playground at 11:30am, which was attended by students, teachers and leaders of various student bodies. 

IU student found dead in pond

After the funeral, students marched to the university's administration building. Around 12pm, they locked up the building, and chanted various slogans, particularly condemning the university administration for its inaction concerning Sajid's death.

The protesters demanded a swift, thorough and transparent investigation into Sajid's death and publication of the report.

Their other demands include CCTV coverage for the campus, construction of a security boundary wall surrounding the campus, installation of adequate streetlights and controlling the access of outsiders onto the campus.