Human chain in Pabna demands death penalty for accused in Double murder

A human chain and protest march were held in Ishwardi upazila of Pabna on Tuesday, demanding the death penalty for the accused in the murder of a grandmother and her teenage granddaughter.

Relatives, neighbours and local residents formed an hour-long human chain in front of the Pabna Press Club on the morning of March 3.

The protesters condemned the killing of Sufia Khatun, 65, and the alleged rape and murder of her granddaughter, Jamila Akhtar, 15. The incident took place at their home in Bhabanipur Uttarpara village under Dashuria Union of Ishwardi upazila around midnight last Saturday.

Speakers at the programme demanded the highest punishment for Shariful Islam Sharif, who has been arrested in connection with the case. They alleged that he was the main planner behind the crime and called for speedy trial proceedings.

After the human chain, participants brought out a protest march that moved along the main roads of the town and ended in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office. A memorandum was later submitted to the district administration, seeking capital punishment for the accused.

Police earlier confirmed the arrest of Shariful Islam Sharif in connection with the killings.