Teachers, students and staffs of Geology and Mining Department of Rajshahi University (RU) yesterday urged the chief adviser to caretaker government to take steps for early completion of the trial process of Prof S Taher Ahmed murder case.
At a condolence meeting held at Geology and Mining Department on the second death anniversary of Prof Taher, they demanded ensuring exemplary punishment to the killers.
After getting bail, the accused in the case started fresh conspiracy to influence the trial process and threatening other teachers and main witnesses of the case, they speakers said, adding that the teachers, students and staff of the department should remain alert as the alleged killers tried to return to the department.
Department teachers Prof Hamidur Rahman, Prof Anwarul Islam, Prof Kamrul Hassan, Prof Habibur Rahman, Assistant Professor Badrul Islam, Dr Khandoker Emamul Haque, department student Shafiqul Islam and staff Muktar Hossain spoke at the meeting with department Chairman Prof Dr Kamrul Hassan Mojumder in the chair.
The meeting also decided to name the 'Paleontology laboratory' of the department after Prof Taher Ahmed, who was also founder of the department.
Department students yesterday attended their scheduled classes wearing black badges as department teachers, students and staff observed 'mourning day'.
Earlier, over 300 teachers and students collected 'mass signatures' and faxed a memorandum to the chief adviser demanding early completion of the trial of the case.
Progressive Teachers' Society, Bangladesh Chhatra League, Samajtantrik Chhatra Front and Progressive Students Alliance in separate messages also demanded immediate completion of the trial of the case and ensuring punishment of the killers.
A Speedy Trial Tribunal in Rajshahi is conducting the trial.
Prof Taher, a senior professor of Geology and Mining Department, was killed on February 1, 2006 and his body was recovered from a sewer behind his campus residence two days later.