Police arrested a female leader of the banned student organisation Chhatra League leader on Wednesday in connection with the killing of Mohammad Shahmeer Howlader during the July-August student movement in Dhaka’s Mirpur.
Julia Akhter, general secretary for Ward 7 Chhatra League was from Mirpur’s Rupnagar arrested by a team from Rupnagar police at 12:05 am, confirmed Talebur Rahman, joint commissioner of Detective Branch of Police.
'Shishu Bokta' Rafiqul Islam acquitted from 4 DSA cases
According to sources from the Rupnagar Police Station, Mohammad Shahmeer Howlader’s cousin, Samrat Howlader, filed a murder case on September 15, 2024. The complaint details that on the afternoon of July 20, 2024, a large procession of students and citizens gathered at Prashika Mor in Rupnagar to protest against discrimination.
During the rally, members from various factions of the Awami League, including affiliated organisations, allegedly opened indiscriminate gunfire on the crowd. Shahmeer Howlader was struck in the chest and critically injured. He was taken to Shahid Sohrawardy Medical College Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Chinese national sentenced to 10 years in Sylhet for killing compatriot
Further investigation, aided by intelligence and technology, led the police to identify Julia as a suspect in Shahmeer Howlader's murder. She was subsequently arrested.
Legal proceedings against Julia are underway at Rupnagar Police Station, with further steps being taken to address the charges.