Court activities in Chattogram have been suspended as the lawyers continued with their protest against the murder of advocate Saiful Islam for the second consecutive day.
There were no hearings in 74 courts in Chattogram on Thursday. The District Bar Association lowered its flag to half-mast, and lawyers wore black badges to express their condemnation.
Former students’ organizations of law departments from private universities like International Islamic University, Premier University, Southern University, and Port City International University formed human chain at the court premises to demand the arrest and execution of the accused in the lawyer’s murder. They called for the execution of Saiful’s murderers during the human chain, which lasted from 11:45am to 1:00pm. Various organizations, including the Nationalist Lawyers Forum, also participated in similar protests.
Chattogram District Bar Association President Nazim Uddin Chowdhury said that lawyers were protesting with black badges. A special prayer was offered at Court Hill Mosque to pray for the departed soul of the deceased lawyer.
Some colleagues of the deceased lawyer were seen sharing memories of Saiful Islam at the court premises. One of them, Moinul Islam, recalled that on the day of the incident, his motorcycle was vandalized by followers of Chinmoy Das, who had been involved in a previous altercation. Saiful had expressed his regret upon hearing this, and later, while protesting against the vandalism, he became the victim of the fatal attack.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Prosecution) ANM Humayun Kabir mentioned that due to the suspension of court activities, no hearings were held, and cases were being postponed. Many people, aware of the closure, did not come to court, though some returned after finding out the situation.
Saiful Islam was murdered near the main gate of the Chattogram Court building on Tuesday afternoon. The incident resulted in at least 37 injuries, including 10 police officers. Police have filed three separate cases regarding the attack on law enforcement and obstruction of duties, with 28 arrests made.
