Md. Mafiz Uddin Sarker, Rangpur

A student named Abu Saeed of the 12th batch of the English Department of Rangpur Begum Rokeya University died while undergoing treatment at the Rangpur Medical College Hospital who was seriously injured in the ongoing clashes among the police and the Chhatra League, Jubo League in front of the University Campus on Tuesday. As a result, shadow of mourning has been come down everywhere in Rangpur.

In solidarity with the ongoing quota movement, the general students of Rangpur Carmichael College, Medical College, Rangpur Zilla School, Government Girls' School, Polytechnic Institute and other educational institutions of Rangpur city were involved in the movement from Tuesday morning. Later at around 12 noon, thousands of students marched and gathered in front of Rangpur Begum Rokeya University. Various anti-quota slogans were raised in the procession.

Later they gathered in front of the main gate of Rangpur Begum Rokeya University. There the police took a position in the middle in front of the gate and the leaders of Jubo League and Chhatra League inside the gate. At the beginning of the slogans, the police broke the cover of ordinary students by throwing bricks and stones and later by throwing police tear shells and Strick charge.

At that time, due to police tear shells, ordinary students took positions at various places including Park Junction, Modern Junction and started throwing brickbats in response. In this clash, police-journalist-students were injured. The clash lasted for about two and a half hours.

Later, a 12th batch student named Abu Saeed of Rangpur Begum Rokeya University's English Department died while undergoing treatment at Rangpur Medical College Hospital. The deceased Abu Said is the son of Maqbul Hossain of Babanpur Village of Chatra Union of Pirganj Upazila of Rangpur district. As of writing this report, one death has been confirmed.

Later, around 5 pm, general students brought Abu Saeed's body from Medical College Hospital to Rangpur Begum Rokeya University on foot for about 8 kilometers. They alleged that the police were obstructing the road at various points. Later, the police took the body into their custody in front of the district police lines.

However, in the morning of 17 July, this reporter came to know that after doing all the formalities the administration handed over the dead body of Abu Saeed to his relatives. When the dead body of Abu Sayeed came to his village home his relatives, neighbors, well-wishers and all classes of people were broken down in tears. The sky became very heavy due to their cries.

It is necessary to say that, Abu Sayeed was the youngest son of his parents. His teachers, kith and kin, friends and villagers informed this reporter that Abu Sayeed was a brilliant student from his childhood. He got the stipend in class 5, class 8, SSC Exam and HSC Exam.

As of writing this report, the Namaje- Janaja of Abu Saeed was held in this village home and then he was buried in the family graveyard.