Fresh agitation from Jan 1 threatened

Speakers at a memorial programme on slain teacher Abul Kalam Azad of Phulbaria Degree College in the district threatened to go for tougher movement from January 1 if the college is not declared for nationalisation by tomorrow.

They came up with the ultimatum at a candle lighting programme at the college premises on Tuesday to mark one month into the killing of Kalam, assistant professor of botany department.

Around 500 students, teachers and local people gathered on the college Shaheed Minar premises around 7:00pm on the occasion.

On November 27, two people, including the teacher, were killed and 100 others injured as police swooped on the agitation programme held to demand nationalisation of the college in Phulbaria upazila.

The teachers, students and local people had been continuing their movement for nationalisation of the college for one and half months when the incident took place, sources said.

The other victim killed in the incident is Safor Ali, 65, a day labourer, who was crossing the college area during the clash.

Remembering the contribution of Abul Kalam Azad at the college for 30 years, the speakers said they cannot express their deep sorrow at the way the teacher had to meet a tragic death.

They also demanded proper investigation into the killings to bring the killers to book.