Mitford killing sparks outrage: NSTU VC and Pro-VC express grief

Sazid Khan, NSTU Correspondent:

A brutal murder of scrap trader Lal Chand, also known as Sohag, in front of Gate No. 3 of Sir Salimullah Medical College (Mitford Hospital) in Old Dhaka has sparked outrage. The Vice-Chancellor (VC) and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Pro-VC) of Noakhali Science and Technology University (NSTU) expressed deep shock and anger over the incident through social media posts.

In a Facebook post, NSTU Pro-VC Professor Dr Md RezuanulHaque wrote, “They will probably get the death penalty. That is almost certain. But it is shocking — how did they dare to do this? If they feared for their lives, no one would commit such an act. This deserves research. And this happened in broad daylight, in front of so many people, in July!”

Referring to the historic July uprising, he added, “It hasn’t even been a year since the students’ revolution. Yet not a single person intervened? No one stepped forward? All the courage to stand against the barrel of a gun — where did it suddenly disappear? Recording the video was less important than stopping the murder. Yes, they are inhuman, monsters — no doubt about it. But how human are we anymore?”

In another post, with a fearful tone, he wrote about the viral video of the killing: “I haven’t watched that video. Honestly, I don’t have the courage. Still, I can’t sleep. Those who watched it — how will they sleep?”

NSTU VC Professor Dr Muhammad Ismail echoed the horror in his own Facebook post. “Bangladesh is speechless after witnessing a dance on a corpse after killing a living man. What unspeakable brutality! I still cannot sleep after watching that video — I can’t get the scene out of my eyes. Are we slowly becoming a nation without conscience?”

The incident has reignited debate over public apathy, security, and the growing brazenness of such crimes happening in plain sight.