In the morning of the 18th February in 1969 at about 11 am, the students of the Rajshahi University started to take to the street in front of the main gate in order to bring out procession, breaking the Section 144. There was posted a platoon of the then Para-Military East Pakistan Rifles to foil the students’ plan.
Hearing it, Dr. Shamsuzzoha, Reader of the Department of Chemistry and University Proctor, accompanied by two other teachers quickly reached the main gate and requested Captain Hadi and Lieutenant Khadem Shah not to shoot at the students. Dr. Zoha also said that he would take all his students back to the campus.
But the two officers from the then West Pakistan ordered action. The EPR soldiers lobbed tear gas shells to force the students back to the campus. On the street, were left Dr. Zoha and two other teachers who looked perplexed at the cruelty of the EPR officers. However, when they were about to return to the campus, Captain Hadi ordered gunshot targeting the three teachers. They fell on the road. Then an EPR officer charged Dr. Zoha with bayonet and took to the Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital where he breathed his last.
The news spread. The students of the university regrouped in front of the varsity chancellor to get back Dr. Zoha’s body. When it arrived, the tears of the teachers, the students and the employees drenched the whole of Motihar Green. Particularly the outcry of his wife and sister cannot be expressed in languages. He was buried the following day on the south of the Administrative Building after Salat al Janazah attended by a large crowd of Rajshahi University. There have grown Eucalyptus trees on all the sides of his grave.
Dr. Shamsuzzoha was very polite and kind to the students. He loved games and sports, and was a regular member of the Chemistry Department’s soccer team. He was politically conscious but disassociated himself from allegiance to any political party. He was very popular to the students, who respected him very much.
Every man will die, but his death is different from others, as it stimulated us to fight for own existence.
Hearing it, Dr. Shamsuzzoha, Reader of the Department of Chemistry and University Proctor, accompanied by two other teachers quickly reached the main gate and requested Captain Hadi and Lieutenant Khadem Shah not to shoot at the students. Dr. Zoha also said that he would take all his students back to the campus.
But the two officers from the then West Pakistan ordered action. The EPR soldiers lobbed tear gas shells to force the students back to the campus. On the street, were left Dr. Zoha and two other teachers who looked perplexed at the cruelty of the EPR officers. However, when they were about to return to the campus, Captain Hadi ordered gunshot targeting the three teachers. They fell on the road. Then an EPR officer charged Dr. Zoha with bayonet and took to the Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital where he breathed his last.
The news spread. The students of the university regrouped in front of the varsity chancellor to get back Dr. Zoha’s body. When it arrived, the tears of the teachers, the students and the employees drenched the whole of Motihar Green. Particularly the outcry of his wife and sister cannot be expressed in languages. He was buried the following day on the south of the Administrative Building after Salat al Janazah attended by a large crowd of Rajshahi University. There have grown Eucalyptus trees on all the sides of his grave.
Dr. Shamsuzzoha was very polite and kind to the students. He loved games and sports, and was a regular member of the Chemistry Department’s soccer team. He was politically conscious but disassociated himself from allegiance to any political party. He was very popular to the students, who respected him very much.
Every man will die, but his death is different from others, as it stimulated us to fight for own existence.
A Former Student
Rajshahi University
Rajshahi University
