No one to face the fate of Nusrat
Leaders of different organisations on Saturday demanded death sentence of those involved in the murder of Feni’s madrasa student Nusrat Jahan Rafi.
They demanded a special tribunal for the Nusrat murder. Nusrat was brutally killed and no one should face such a fate in the future, the leaders added.
The leaders said the police officer who tried to divert the case also has to be brought to book.
The leaders made their demands from a human chain in front of the National Press Club as part of their human chain programmes from Ganabhaban to Bangabhaban.
The demonstrating organisations included Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigosti, Bangladesh Trade Union Kendra, Samajtantrik Mohila Samity, Feni Samity, Bangladesh Nari Sangbadik Kendra and Bangladesh Online Activism Forum.
They held human chain programmes from Asad Gate to Gulistan in the capital demanding justice for Nusrat Jahan of Sonagazi, Feni. The human chain programmes were held between 11am and 12pm on Saturday.
CPB general secretary Shah Alam joined the human chain at Asad Gate. He said the harassment of women and rape have become so frequent that people were no longer becoming shocked.
After murder of Tonu, there was a huge outcry across the country, but the justice was not done.
Where is the source of power of these offenders, he asked.
Citizen platform Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan) central coordinator Dilip Sarker said none was safe from being raped, not even a mother of six.
He alleged the incidents were overlooked, the action restricted to merely forming probe bodies.
Dilip called for social resistance to thwart violence against women.
Nari Progati Sanga executive director Rokeya Kabir said the spirit of the Liberation War would not be implemented until equal status of men and women is established.
CPB Dhaka unit general secretary Sajedul Haque announced the observation of violence against women week between 20 April and 27 April.
On 6 April, Nusrat was set afire at an Alim examination centre allegedly by students loyal to principal Siraj Ud Doula of Sonagazi Senior Fazil Madrasa after he was arrested and subsequently suspended. Nusrat had accused him of sexually harassing her.
Critically injured, Nusrat was immediately taken to the DMCH for better treatment where she underwent a surgery under life support on 9 April.
The operation conducted after discussion with physicians from Singapore General Hospital who said she was not fit to be flown to Singapore.
Nusrat finally succumbed to her injuries around 9:30pm on 10 April.
In a declaration on 8 April, Nusrat told her doctors that four students wearing burqas set her on fire. She identified one of them as Shampa.