The body of Jagannath University (JnU) student Fairuz Abontika, who died by committing suicide after accusing a classmate and a teacher of her death on Friday, was buried at her family graveyard in Shasangachha area of Cumilla city on Saturday afternoon.
Earlier, her Namaz-e-Jananza was held on Cumilla Government College premises at 3pm. A good number of people including her classmates, teachers, relatives and locals attended the Janaza.
The JnU students on Saturday staged demonstrations on the campus with a six-point demand including fair trial and arrest of the accused in connection with the death of Fairuz, a Law Department student of the university.
The students made this demand in a protest march organised under the banner 'Jagannath University Against Oppression'.
The students’ procession paraded the entire campus starting from the Shanto Chattar premises of the university and ended at the same place.
Rezwan, a student of Economics department, presented a 6-point demand in the protest programme.
The six point demands are – fair and impartial investigation into the death, arrest of accused student Amman Siddique and Assistant Proctor Deen Islam, their immediate expulsion through an emergency Syndicate meeting, providing maximum security to the victim's family, filing of a case by the university administration as plaintiff and establishment of sexual harassment cell at the university.
They threatened that if their demands are not met within 24 hours, they will siege the administrative building at 11am on Sunday.
Fairuz Abantika, daughter of late Jamal Uddin, a former professor of Cumilla Government College, was found hanging from the ceiling fan of her house at Bagichagaon on Friday night.
She was taken to Cumilla General Hospital where the on-duty doctor declared her dead at 10:15pm.
Prior to her fateful step she made a post on Facebook where she accused her university’s assistant proctor Deen Islam and her classmate Amman Siddique for her suicide.
'Will end life if justice not done'
Tahmina Shabnam, mother of Jagannath University student Fairuz Abantika who died by suicide on Friday night, has demanded justice for her daughter's death.
The wailing mother, at her home at Bagichagaon of Cumilla city on Saturday, said, “My husband died a year ago. Last night my daughter Fairuz died. I can't bear this grief. I have another son. If no action is taken against those responsible for my daughter's death, I will end my life along with my son.
“My daughter was very ambitious. My daughter was brilliant, is that her crime? She was first in her session, is that her crime? She got selected as a GD (General Duty) pilot, is that her crime? I informed the Proctor and the Chairman about the matter. I didn't get any justice. If I don't get justice, I will be finished. I have nothing.”
Fairuz Abantika, a student of the Law Department at Jagannath University and daughter of late Jamal Uddin, a former professor of Cumilla Government College, was found hanging from the ceiling fan of her house at Bagichagaon on Friday night.
She was taken to Cumilla General Hospital where the on-duty doctor declared her dead at 10:15pm.
Earlier, she made a post on Facebook when she accused her university's assistant proctor and a classmate for her suicide.
The news of Fairuz's death sparked protests at Jagannath University. Besides, a human chain is underway at Kandirpar in Cumilla city demanding that the culprits be brought under the law.
Her body is set to be handed over to her family after autopsy at 2pm. Her namaz-e-janaza will be held after Asr prayers.
Human chain held in Cumilla
A human chain was formed in Cumilla on Saturday demanding justice for Fairuz Abontika, who committed suicide after writing a Facebook post on Friday night.
Locals and different organisations called for the arrest and punishment of those responsible.
An alliance of social and voluntary organisations convened at Pubali Chattar in Cumilla city to protest the death.
Speakers at the gathering urged for an impartial investigation into the death and swift action to apprehend the culprits. Additionally, they announced plans for more decisive measures in the future.
Among the attendees were representatives from various organisations, including Bangladesh Youth Cadet Forum, Rang Tuli Jubo Foundation, Alo Jubo Mohila Kalyan Sangstha, Prattabartan, Tarunner Bangladesh, Nirapad Chalok Chai, Desh Kalyan Sangstha, Fire Service, VBD Comilla, Nawab Faizunnesa Foundation, Comilla College Theatre, Victoria College Theatre, Youth for Purpose, Comilla Cyclist Forum, and Junior Friends Club.
Fairuz Abantika, a student of the 2017-18 academic year of Jagannath University (JnU) Law Department, hanged herself at her Cumilla residence after accusing her classmate and the assistant proctor of the university in a Facebook post around 10pm on Friday.
Meanwhile, the university administration relieved assistant proctor Deen Islam from her duty and suspended classmate Amman Siddique. Besides, the university administration has formed a four-member probe committee.
In her Facebook post before committing suicide, Fairuz Abantika said that her classmate Amman Siddique and assistant proctor Deen Islam would be responsible for her suicide.
She wrote, “If I ever die by suicide, my classmate Amman Siddiqui and assistant proctor Deen Islam, who supported him, will be solely responsible for my death.
“I complained to the Proctor's office that Amman was threatening me offline and also online but I did not get any benefit. Deen Islam scares me in many ways for the sake of Amman. He said that expelling me is very easy for him. I know I won't get any justice here.”
