People from all walks of life, including teachers of different universities, lawyers and human rights activists, in a statement on Thursday demanded exemplary punishment of Hasan Syeed, for torturing his wife Rumana Monzur that blinded her.
'We demand justice to Rumana Monzur,' said the statement signed by 102 eminent citizens, including Nijera Kori coordinator Khushi Kabir, human rights activist Hameeda Hossain, writer and columnist Rahnuma Ahmed, Naripokkho president Habibun Nessa, professor Akmal Hossain of international relations at Dhaka
University, professor Anu Muhammad of economics at Jahangirnagar University, Mashrefa Mishu of Garments Workers Oikya Forum and Gitiara Nasreen of journalism and mass communications at DU.
A University of British Columbia scholar, Rumana, 33, also assistant professor of the international relations department at Dhaka University, has been undergoing treatment at Labaid Specialised Hospital since her return from India where her eyes were examined at Sankara Nethralaya in Chennai and Aravind Eye Hospital in Puducherry.
Resident students of Dhaka University Roquiah Hall formed a human chain on the campus protesting at the torture on Rumana.
They demanded exemplary punishment of Hasan.
Rumanar Janya Nay Bichar Mancha, a platform campaigning for justice to Rumana, will hold a rally at Central Shahid Minar at about 5:00pm today to express solidarity with the victim of torture, said one of the organisers, Tanzimuddin Khan, also Rumana's colleague.
Rumana's husband Hasan will be produced in a Dhaka court on Friday, investigators of the case said.
Hasan, 38, who was arrested on June 15 on charge of torturing Rumana, was remanded in police custody for two days for a third time in connection with the case filed by Rumana's father retired major Monzur Hossain on June 6.
Jeremy McElroy, the president of Alma Mater Society of UBC, in a statement, expressed sympathy to Rumana and said, 'Our hearts and minds go out to Rumana, her daughter, friends, colleagues and family following this unconscionable experience.'
Canada's largest urban weekly, Georgia Straight, reported that sympathisers of Rumana in Canada were planning to organise a rally in Vancouver to protest at torture on Rumana and domestic violence in general.
The rally titled 'No more violence against women; justice for Rumana Monzur' will take place on June 26, outside the Vancouver Art Gallery, reports Georgia Straight.
Rumana's former UBC professor, Lisa Sundstrom, said UBC announced a fund to offset Rumana's medical bills and they have been flooded with offers of donations from across Canada, Canadian newspaper Metro reported.
Source : New Age
