Haji Danesh UniversityFollow-up
Classes stopped to avoid Bipul murder backlash
Mrinal, others yet to be arrested
Students of Hajee Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU) bring out a procession on the campus yesterday to mourn the death of Fahim Mahfuz Bipul, a final year student of veterinary department. The processionists also demanded immediate arrest and punishment of Bipul's killers.Photo: STAR
The authorities of Hajee Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU) yesterday suspended all academic activities of the university for five days to avert any further untoward incident following the murder of a student near the campus on Saturday. The decision came from a meeting of the academic council held at midnight on Saturday with Vice Chancellor Professor M Afzal Hossain in the chair. Campus sources said the university will go on a 15-day summer vacation from June 15. Therefore, classes and examinations will remain suspended for 20 days until June 30. Fahim Mahfuz Bipul, 23, a final year student of veterinary department and also the vice-president of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) HSTU unit, was stabbed to death in broad daylight on Saturday by an employee of the university. He hailed from Pirganj upazila of Thakurgaon district. The university unit of BCL is divided into two factions. One is led by President Iftekhar Ahmed Real while the other by General Secretary Arun Kanti Roy. Bipul belonged to Iftekhar faction. Several clashes took place in recent times between the two factions over taking control of the campus and tender issues. BCL university unit sources said Fahim was stabbed when two central BCL vice presidents--Mahmudul Hasan Maruf and Rezaul Hasib--were holding a meeting with the leaders of the two factions on the campus to settle their disputes. According to police and witnesses, Mrinal Kumar Goswami, a class four employee at HSTU library department, and Bipul had an altercation over an issue at a tea stall near the campus at around 1:00pm and at one stage, Mrinal stabbed Bipul in front of people, leaving him critically injured. Locals rescued Bipul and took him to Dinajpur Medical College and Hospital where he died at around 2:40pm. BCL sources said Mrinal has a link with BCL Arun faction and is also involved in tender issues on the campus. He called Bipul to the tea stall over cellphone when he (Bipul) and other members of Iftekhar faction were holding talks with BCL central leaders, sources added. Mrinal went into hiding soon after the incident. Contacted, Aslam Iqbal, officer- in-charge of Dinajpur Police Station, said they are raiding different areas to arrest Mrinal. Students of the university yesterday took out a procession on the campus demanding immediate arrest of Mrinal and others involved in the killing. Bipul was buried at his family graveyard in Pirganj yesterday morning.
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