Amid concern over the frequent killings of bloggers, writers and university teachers throughout the country, Sylhet Metropolitan Police (SMP) on Saturday deployed police personnel to ensure security to Prof Dr Muhammad Zafar Iqbal of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST). Additional Deputy Commissioner of SMP Rahmat Ullah confirmed this to reporters.
The recent incidents of killing of a Rajshahi University (RU) teacher and the double murder incident at Kalabagan in the capital prompted SMP to take the decision, he said.
Replying to a query, Rahmat Ullah said although there is no threat on Zafar Iqbal at present, the police force will provide the security to the prominent writer in line with directions from the Police headquarters and considering the overall law and order situation of the country.
Two armed police will stay with the eminent writer during daytime while three armed policemen will be deployed with him in the night, Rahmat Ullah added.
He also asked the other residents of Sylhet to inform police if anyone gets life threat.
Prof Rezaul Karim, 58, of the RU English Department was killed by miscreants in Shalbagan area of Rajshahi city on April 23 while some unidentified miscreants hacked to death LGBT activist Xulhaz Mannan, also a former USAID staff, and his friend theater activist Mahbub Tonoy at a flat at Kalabagan in Dhaka on April 25.
Earlier in May, 2015, a militant group Ansarullah Bangla Team-13 issued a statement threatening to kill 10 noted personalities of the country including Zafar Iqbal.
