Sharifuzzaman Nomani

Sharifuzzaman Nomani (d. 13th March 2009) was a member activist of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir and secretary of Rajshahi University unit of the organisation. He was killed as a result of an attack by Bangladesh Chatra League (BCL) activists during clashes between rival student factions at the university premises.

Life

Sharifuzzaman Nomani was born in the village of Andhariapara, Katakhali, Fulbaria, Mymensingh. His father was Mohammad Habibullah Master and mother Rezia Khatun. He completed his primary education in Nabinagar B.H Dakhil Madrassah and Chonkanda Dakhil Madrassah. After completing his Alim examination from Katlasen Kaderiya Alia Madrassah, he enrolled as a student of Islamic studies in Rajshahi University. He completed his honours from the university and at the time of his death was a second semester student of masters at the university.

Death

On March 13, 2009, Nomani was fatally attacked at Sher-e-Bangla Hall of Rajshahi University by Bangladesh Chatra League cadres with sharp weapons and hockey sticks during clashes between rival student organizations Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir and Bangladesh Chatra League in the aftermath of dispute over holding organizational rallies on the campus. The Shibir rally was in commemoration of another incident in March 11, 1982, where Shibir openly organized a fresher’s reception program, whereby rival student organization barred the function, triggering a bloody clash, leaving 4 Shibir activists and a leader of Chatra League killed. His attackers chopped off his fingers and cleaved his head using sharp weapons, leaving him critically injured. Doctors declared him dead upon arrival to Rajshahi Medical College.

Reactions

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir in separate statements blamed the Chhatra League and the police for the death of Nomani, demanding arrest and punishment of his killers, while student organisations Chhatra League, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal Chhatra League, Chhatra Front and Chhatra Union in separate statements blamed Chhatra Shibir for the clashes, demanding a ban on the politics of Shibir on educational campuses.

Many educational institutions were closed for a long time in the aftermath of the incident.

Case and investigation

The Rajshahi University unit of Shibir accused 27 leaders and activists of Chhatra League's RU unit, including its president and a local Awami League leader, in a case involving the death of Nomani. In a case lodged a day after the attack, local Awami League leader Anwar Hossain Anar, the RU unit Chhatra League president Ibrahim Hossain Moon, law affairs secretary Arifuzzaman Roni, culture affairs secretary Awal Kabir Joy and 24 Chhatra League activists were accused of [...] Nomani.

Three more cases accusing a total of 248 BCL men were filed by Shibir activists with Rajshahi Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court, which asked the police station concerned to take necessary steps.

Though the syndicate committee recommended action against those involved as per the findings of an investigation, the university administration is yet to act. Investigation officers of the investigation case are reported to have been dismissed, while the defendants were reported to have been exonerated since the plaintiff could not attend the court due to fear of being attacked or arrested.