'Punish killers of Papiya'

The Barisal unit of Bangladesh Women Lawyers Association, joined by human rights activists and other organisations, formed a human chain and held a rally in front of Aswni Kumar Hall in the city on Thursday demanding punishment to the killers of Dilruba Huq Papiya (inset). PHOTO: STAR

The organisations also formed a Dabi Parishad to implement various agitation programmes for arrest and trial of the killers.

The rally was addressed by representatives of the different organisations.

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They demanded immediate arrest of Papiya's husband hambub Morshed Tuhin, the alleged killer; and an impartial investigation into the incident.

They also demanded that Papiya's daughter Saptarshi be taken away from Tuhin's family and kept in a safe shelter, saying she could be the lone witness to the murder.

Earlier on the day, another human chain was formed and a protest rally held at the same venue jointly by Bangladesh Legal Aid Services Trust (BLAST), Mahila Parishad and National Women Lawyers Association.

They also brought out a procession in the city roads, followed by handover of memoranda to the Deputy Commission and the Police Superintended demanding proper investigation into the incident and arrest of the killers.

Papiya's elder sister Mahbuba Huq Kumkum in a case alleged that she was killed by her husband. Papiya had started living with their mother in Dhaka as Tuhin often tortured her, she alleged.

Papiya was killed at Tuhin's Barisal city house on November 3 and the body was buried without autopsy.

Barisal police on Tuesday exhumed the body from a graveyard in the city and sent to hospital morgue for autopsy. The autopsy was done at Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital morgue on the same day but the report is not yet available. Police said it will be available in two weeks.

Witnesses present at the grave said the exhumed body bore injurt marks on the face, eyes and neck.

Papiya's sister-in-law was also arrested on Tuesday.