Killing of Tofazzal Hossain
 |
| Killing of Tofazzal Hossain | |
|---|---|
| Location | Fazlul Huq Muslim Hall, Dhaka University, Dhaka, Bangladesh |
| Coordinates | 23°43′33″N 90°24′12″E / 23.7259°N 90.4034°E |
| Date | 18 September 2024 |
Attack type | Lynching, mob attack |
| Victim | Tofazzal Hossain[1] |
| Motive | Suspicion of mobile theft |
| Inquiry | Dhaka Metropolitan Police |
| Accused | 6[2][3] |
| Charges | Murder |
On 18 September 2024, Tofazzal Hossain, a mentally unstable individual, was beaten to death by students at Fazlul Huq Muslim Hall in the University of Dhaka.[4][5][6] Accused of stealing cellphones, Hossain was subjected to severe physical violence, ultimately leading to his demise.[7][8]
Background
[edit]From 13 August to 20 September 2024, 21 people were lynched in those 39 days.[9] In Jahangirnagar University, Shamim Ahmed, a former activist of Bangladesh Chhatra League, was beaten to death on 18 September 2024.[9]
Tofazzal Hossain
[edit]Hossain is from Kathaltoli Union, Patharghata Upazila, Barguna District.[7] He did his master's degree in accounting at the Government Suhrawardi College.[10][4] His father, Abdur Rahman,[10] died in 2016 in a road accident.[11] In 2016 his mother, Beauty Begum,[10] died from cancer.[11] Nasir Uddin, his older brother, a sub-inspector of Bangladesh Police, also died from cancer on 7 April 2023.[11][10] He had developed mental problems after these deaths according to his cousins.[11] He used to roam around the campus of the University of Dhaka and would take food offered by students.[11][4] He was 35 at the time of his death.[11]
Incident
[edit]Tofazzal Hossain was detained by students at the University of Dhaka following the theft of six cellphones during a cricket match. Hossain was taken to the Fazlul Huq Muslim Hall, where he was subjected to physical violence and torture.[11] Students inflicted injuries upon him using cricket bats and stumps. After a brief period, Hossain was provided with a meal from the canteen, but the violence continued at the extension building guest room right after he finished his meal.[11] The students contacted Hossain's family, demanding a sum of money. A proctor team arrived at the scene but was unable to secure Hossain's immediate release. As Hossain's condition deteriorated, he was eventually handed over to the proctors, who transported him to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.[11]
Reaction
[edit]Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, advisor in charge of the Minister of Home affairs expressed regret over the death of Tofazzal Hossain and the death in Jahangirnagar University.[9] ZI Khan Panna, Supreme Court lawyer, was critical of Jahangir Alam Chowdhury for expressing regret but not taking action.[9] Another lawyer, Jyotirmoy Barua, said
"After the dictator (Sheikh Hasina) was deposed through an uprising, a group of people now believe that they can dispense justice as they want and the authorities would comply with whatever they say".[9]
The University of Dhaka condemned the incident.[12] Democratic Student Alliance and the Students Against Repression held protests at the University of Dhaka and Jahangirnagar University.[12][13][14]
Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Chatra Dal condemned extrajudicial killings at the Teacher Student Center (TSC) of the University of Dhaka.[12] Zonayed Saki of the Ganosamhati Andolan condemned the murder.[12] Left Democratic Alliance called for arrest and punishment of those involved.[12]
Police detained six students of the University of Dhaka in connection with the murder.[15] Mohammad Amanullah, supervisor of the estate office of the University of Dhaka filed a murder case with the Shahbagh Police Station.[16] The university also handed over two students, suspected of being involved in the murder, to the police.[17]
References
[edit]- ^ Mizan, Mashfiq; Rubel, Sirajul Islam (20 September 2024). "Savagery at DU: They beat him, fed him, then killed him". The Daily Star (Bangladesh). Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ Shikdar, Sumon (20 September 2024). "6 students arrested over lynching youth at Dhaka University". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ নিজস্ব প্রতিবেদক (20 September 2024). "ঢাকা বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ে গণপিটুনিতে হত্যা মামলায় আরও একজনসহ গ্রেপ্তার ৬". Daily Inqilab (in Bengali). Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ a b c "Suspected thief killed in 'mass beating' at Dhaka University". Bdnews24.com. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
We have learnt that he was mentally unstable.
- ^ "Tofazzal: The man who lost everything". Somoy TV. 19 September 2024. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ "Who was Tofazzal, killed at Dhaka University?". The Financial Express. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ a b "Youth suspected of theft beaten to death at DU". The Business Standard. 19 September 2024. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ "Suspected thief killed in 'mass beating' at DU". The South Asian Times | সাউথ এশিয়ান টাইমস. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Hossain, Sajjad (20 September 2024). "Lynch mobs acting with impunity". The Daily Star. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ a b c d Hossain, Sohrab (19 September 2024). "Life lost to a mindless mob". The Daily Star. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Mizan, Mashfiq; Rubel, Sirajul Islam (20 September 2024). "Savagery at DU: They beat him, fed him, then killed him". The Daily Star. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ a b c d e "Protests erupt as two beaten to death at DU, JU". New Age. 20 September 2024. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ "Mob killing in DU hall: Students protest outside proctor's office". The Daily Star. 19 September 2024. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ "Youth mob-lynched at DU dorm: 4 held". The Financial Express. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ "Mob lynching at DU: 6 students, including ex-BCL leader, arrested". The Business Standard. 19 September 2024. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ "DU admin files murder case over mob lynching of youth on theft suspicion". The Business Standard. 19 September 2024. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ "DU mob lynching: 'Several students' named in case, 2 handed over to police". Bdnews24.com. Retrieved 20 September 2024.