CoU students withdraw highway block
CoU Students End Highway Protest After Funeral for Apratim
Thebangladaily.com – Students of Comilla University ended a protest that had brought traffic on the Dhaka-Chittagong highway to a halt on Sunday, September 20, after demonstrating over the killing of 13-year-old Apratim.
The blockade lasted for about one and a half hours. Students moved onto the highway at approximately 11:30 AM after holding a procession from the university campus. By around 1:00 PM, they had withdrawn from the road, allowing vehicles to begin moving again.
Funeral Held on Campus
The protest followed the first janaza for Apratim, which took place at the Comilla University campus at about 10:15 AM. Hundreds of students attended before marching toward the nearby Dhaka-Chittagong highway.
The students used the demonstration to demand swift action against those responsible for the boy’s death. Carrying placards and chanting slogans, they called for the immediate arrest and punishment of the killers. Their protest also reflected frustration over what they viewed as an inadequate initial police response.
Once the group blocked the road, traffic built up rapidly in both directions. The disruption created an estimated 10-kilometre tailback across the two lanes of the busy highway, affecting travellers and freight movement during the late morning and early afternoon.
Traffic Restored Without Violence
Mainamoti Highway Police Station Officer-in-Charge Anisur Rahman said the students concluded the protest peacefully. No untoward incident was reported during the blockade or as the demonstrators left the highway.
Traffic flow began returning to normal after the students cleared the road at around 1:00 PM. Highway police worked as vehicles gradually resumed movement following the prolonged standstill.
The protest highlighted the intense grief and anger surrounding Apratim’s death. For students gathered at the campus and on the highway, the action was intended to press for accountability while drawing public attention to the investigation.
Two Detained for Questioning
Police have detained two people in connection with the case. The individuals have been identified as Tuhin, 19, and Anas. They are being questioned as investigators examine whether Apratim may have been killed over an iPhone.
The detention does not conclude the investigation, and police have scheduled a district-level press briefing to share further developments. Authorities are expected to provide more information as questioning and other investigative steps continue.
Apratim was buried at a local graveyard near his home at about 11:40 AM on Sunday. Earlier that day, the university campus had become a gathering point for students mourning the teenager and demanding justice.
Murder Case Filed
Apratim’s father, Firoz Shahriar, has filed a murder case at Sadar South Model Police Station. The case was lodged against unidentified individuals, leaving investigators to determine who was involved and what circumstances led to the killing.
The filing formally places the case within the criminal justice process and gives police a basis for pursuing suspects, gathering evidence and establishing whether the suspected motive can be substantiated. The detained men remain under questioning as the inquiry proceeds.
Sunday’s events showed how the case has resonated beyond Apratim’s family. The campus funeral, the student procession and the highway blockade all centred on a single demand: that those responsible be identified and held accountable.
For commuters, the withdrawal of the blockade brought relief after the lengthy traffic jam. For the protesters, however, reopening the highway did not end their concerns. Their demonstration made clear that they expect visible progress in the investigation and a response that reflects the seriousness of the crime.
With police preparing to brief the media and a murder case now on record, attention will remain focused on the next stages of the investigation into Apratim’s death.
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