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Ishayat Shahriar Opratim, the only child of Cumilla University associate professor Dr. Nahida Begum and K.M. Firoze Shahriar, has been laid to rest. On Sunday (September 20), his first Janaza (funeral prayer) was held at 10 AM at Cumilla University’s central field, followed by a second Janaza at 11 AM at Kotbari Gandhamati Eidgah Maidan, after which he was buried in the adjacent graveyard.
University teachers, students, officials, employees, relatives, and local people from various professions attended Opratim’s Janaza. Many broke down in tears as they came to bid farewell to the beloved teacher couple’s only child for the last time. After the Janaza, everyone present prayed for the salvation of Opratim’s soul.
Following the burial, around 11:30 AM, Cumilla University students blockaded the highway in the Kotbari area to protest Opratim’s murder. They demanded the swift arrest and exemplary punishment of those involved in the killing. Students were seen chanting various slogans. A large number of law enforcement personnel were deployed to the scene to control the situation. Police attempted to clear the students to restore normal traffic flow.
Opratim was a seventh-grade student at Cumilla Border Guard Public School. On Friday (September 18), around 2:30 PM, he left his home in the Kotbari Gandhamati area with his mother’s iPhone to take pictures with friends. He did not return home afterward. After searching various places without success, his father filed a General Diary (GD) at the Sadar Dakshin Police Station the same day.
Following his disappearance, family members, along with Cumilla University teachers, students, and police, searched for Opratim in various locations. Approximately 21 hours later, on Saturday (September 19) afternoon, his body was recovered from a jungle area in Sananda, adjacent to Lalmai Hill near Cumilla University.
The body was later taken to Cumilla Sadar Hospital, where an autopsy was performed. Police reported that Opratim had severe head injuries. After the autopsy on Saturday night, the body was brought to his home in Kotbari Gandhamati, where relatives, teachers, students, and locals gathered to see him for the last time. A pall of grief descended upon the entire area.
Meanwhile, police have launched an investigation into Opratim’s death. Several individuals have been detained for questioning on suspicion of involvement in the murder. Police stated that some information about the incident has been obtained, and efforts are underway through investigation to determine the true cause of the murder and identify those involved.
Opratim’s mother, Dr. Nahida Begum, is speechless with grief after losing her only child. A shadow of mourning has also fallen over Cumilla University following Opratim’s death.