Govt trying to cover up murder: Ershad

---

Former President and Jatiya Party (JP) Chairman Hussain Mohammad Ershad handed over a cheque for Tk 50,000 to the family of Biswajit Das, who was killed in an anti-hartal protest recently, at Shankharibazar in the city Saturday. — Banglar Chokh Photo

Former President and Jatiya Party (JP) chairman Hussain Mohammad Ershad Saturday visited the residence of Biswajit Das at Shankharibazar in the city, who was hacked to death allegedly by ruling AL activists, reports bdnews24.com. HM Ershad offered his condolence to the family members of Biswajit and gave them a cheque for Tk 50,000. Later he attended a meeting on Victoria Park premises, where Biswajit was hacked to death. Ershad referred to media reports and expressed his angst as to how such a murder could take place in broad daylight. "I don't know of any other murder in history which is more brutal." The former military dictator also alleged that the government was trying to cover up the murder. "Even though he was hacked to death in broad daylight in front of mediapersons, autopsy reports are silent on it." Ershad demanded that Dec 9 be declared 'Biswajit Day' and the intersection where he was killed be named after him. He said the trial of Biswajit's assailants should be quickly disposed off. Earlier BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia had also called upon Biswajit's family after his death. The youth was hacked to death in front of media cameras in broad daylight during the opposition 18-Party Alliance sponsored programme. Activists of the Bangladesh Chhatra League's Jagannath University unit have been blamed for the murder and ten of them have been expelled from the university.