PM meets Abrar Fahad’s family

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday met the family members of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) student Abrar Fahad, who was beaten to death by leaders and activists of the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League in 2019.

Abrar’s father Md Barkat Ullah, mother Rokeya Khatun, younger brother Abrar Faiyaz, an uncle and a maternal uncle met the prime minister at his office at the Cabinet Division of the Secretariat around 5pm.

Tarique Rahman spoke to the family members and enquired about their wellbeing.

During the meeting, Abrar’s father sought the prime minister’s assistance in expediting the judicial process in his son’s murder case and executing the verdict.

In response, Tarique said the case is currently pending before the High Court and that the court would complete the proceedings independently. He assured the family of all necessary cooperation from the government.

Abrar’s father also sought the prime minister’s intervention to build a bridge over the Gorai River in Kushtia, saying around 40,000 to 50,000 people in the area cross the river using a makeshift bamboo bridge.

The prime minister assured him that the bridge would be built and promised to name it after Abrar Fahad.

Barkat Ullah also raised the issue of fugitives in the murder case, saying the family was informed about an accused escaping from Kashimpur High Security Central Jail nearly six months after his escape. He urged the prime minister to take all fugitives who escaped from custody and remain at large into custody as soon as possible.

Abrar’s mother Rokeya Khatun urged the prime minister to ensure that no other mother has to suffer the loss of a child in such circumstances.

“Every student on every campus is someone’s child, just like my son. I want no campus to return to the environment of the past. No mother should have to suffer a loss like mine,” she said.

Central Chhatra Dal President Rakibul Islam Rakib and General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir were also present at the meeting.