Chittagong, Nov 27 (V7N)- The first funeral prayer for Advocate Saiful Islam Alif, who was brutally murdered during a protest, was held on Wednesday morning at the Chattogram court premises. Lawyers and people from all walks of life thronged the area to pay their respects.

The funeral prayer began at 10:30 AM, following speeches by prominent lawyer leaders who demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible for the killing and exemplary punishment.

After the first prayer, the body was taken to the Jamiatul Falah Mosque grounds for a second funeral prayer. Among those attending were Hasnat Abdullah, convener of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, and Sarzis Alam, a member of the Citizens' Committee.

A Tragic End for a Rising Lawyer

Advocate Saiful Islam Alif, a resident of Chunati in Lohagara upazila, became a member of the Chattogram District Bar Association in 2018 and later began practicing at the High Court.

On Tuesday, November 26, Alif was fatally attacked during a protest organized by the Bangladesh United Sanatan Awakening Alliance, demanding the release of their spokesperson, Principal Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari.

The violence erupted after ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) members, enraged by a court order denying bail to their expelled leader Chinmoy Krishna Das in a sedition case, launched an assault.

Brutal Attack by ISKCON Members

According to Additional Public Prosecutor Sarwar Hossain Lavlu, ISKCON members unleashed chaos in the court premises, attacking Alif with sharp weapons and hurling stones at his head, leading to his death.

Witnesses reported that after Magistrate Kazi Shariful Islam denied bail and ordered Chinmoy's imprisonment, ISKCON supporters blocked the prison van in protest. Police intervened with tear gas and sound grenades to control the situation, but the attackers moved into nearby alleys, pelting stones and launching the deadly attack on Alif.

The incident also left seven others injured, who are currently undergoing treatment at Chattogram Medical College Hospital.

Nationwide Mourning and Demand for Justice

The murder of Advocate Saiful Islam Alif has sent shockwaves through the legal community, sparking grief and outrage. Lawyer associations across the country have called for a thorough investigation and swift justice.

“This is a heinous act that cannot go unpunished. We demand an immediate trial to ensure justice,” said one lawyer leader during the funeral.

30 Suspects Detained

In response to the attack, law enforcement agencies have detained 30 suspects as part of a joint operation. Authorities have assured a full investigation into the incident.

The killing has drawn widespread condemnation, with calls for the government to take decisive action to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law. Legal experts warn that failure to address this case swiftly could undermine public trust in the judiciary.

Advocate Saiful Islam Alif’s untimely death has left the nation mourning a promising lawyer whose life was cut short in a moment of violence.

END/ABZ/AJ