Sylhet Bureau

The verdict in the murder case of science writer Anant Bijay Das has been demanded for speedy execution and speedy arrest of the convicted fugitives.

Speakers made this demand at a short rally after laying wreaths at Anant Vijay Das's memorial on the ninth anniversary of his murder on Sunday.

Blogger and science writer Anant Vijay Dash was hacked to death in broad daylight in Subidbazar area of Sylhet city on May 12, 2015. After that, a temporary monument was constructed at the initiative of late youth leader Moinuddin Ahmad Jalal. Every year on May 12, comrades of Anant Vijay including progressive politicians, writers, teachers, cultural workers of Sylhet lay wreaths at that monument.

The speakers also demanded the construction of a permanent monument at the place where Anant Vijay was killed in a short rally after laying wreaths at 12 noon on Sunday.

Speakers in the rally moderated by Gana Jagaram Manch, Sylhet spokesperson Debashish Debu said that the verdict in this case was passed after seven years of Anant's murder. However, even after two years have passed since the announcement of the verdict, there is still no initiative to implement the verdict. Besides, 4 people have been sentenced to death in the verdict of the case, but three are still absconding.

The speakers demanded the arrest of the absconding accused and speedy execution of the verdict, saying that militancy arose in the country through the killing of several bloggers and free-spirited people including Anant. Therefore, in the interest of national security and extermination of militancy, he demanded that the verdict of this murder case be executed quickly and the punishment of all the accused be confirmed. Otherwise, they expressed fear that the militants may rise again.

Awami League's former central organizing secretary Misbah Uddin Siraj, Shabiprobi professor Dr. spoke in the short rally. Nazia Chowdhury, environmental activist Abdul Karim Keem, Ashraful Kabir, president of Samilit Natya Parishad Sylhet Rajatkanti Gupta, general secretary Mostak Ahmad, Anantar sister-in-law advocate Samar Vijay C. Shekhar, writer Dr. Enam Ahmad, progressive political activist Niranjan Sarkar Apu, Basad leader Pranab Jyoti. Pal, Ganajagran Manch organizers Mahbub Russell, Rajeev Russell, Devjyoti Debu, Arup Baul, Ujjal Chakraborty, Chakraborty, Roni Das etc.

Incidentally, Anant Vijay Das, a banker by profession, used to edit a science-minded magazine named 'Yukti'. He used to write on various blogs including Muktmana.

On the morning of May 12, 2015, a group of young men attacked him with sharp weapons near Dastidar Dighi in Subidbazar area of Sylhet city while he was going to office with his sister. They publicly hacked him to death.

Later, banned militant outfit Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) claimed responsibility for the killings.

That night Anant Bijay Dash's brother Ratneshwar Dash filed a murder case against the unknown attackers at Sylhet Airport Police Station.

On March 30, 2022, Sylhet Anti-Terrorism Tribunal judge Nurul Amin Biplab sentenced 4 people to death and acquitted one person in this murder case.

Those sentenced to death are Abul Hossain of Kanaighat upazila of Sylhet, Faisal Ahmad of Khalpar Talbari upazila, Mamunur Rashid of Birendranagar (Bagli) of Tahirpur in Sunamganj and Abul Khair Rashid Ahmad of Faljur village of Kanaighat.

Besides, controversial blogger Safiur Rahman Farabi was acquitted from the case. Apart from Abul Khair Rashid Ahmad, the other three convicts are absconding. Another accused, Mannan Rahi, fell ill and died in Kashimpur Jail.