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RANGPUR, July 25, 2025 (BSS) - As the anti-discrimination student movement grew stronger in those days, the then fascist regime escalated mass arrests and relaxed the curfew in Rangpur division for 13 hours on July 26 last year.

After Begum Rokeya University student Abu Sayeed was shot dead by police on July 16, the student-public movement took an unstoppable form with the participation of thousands of people from all walks of life in Rangpur city.

Under such a situation, the then Rangpur Divisional Commissioner Md Zakir Hossain informed local journalists on July 25) night that the curfew would be relaxed in all eight districts of Rangpur division from 6 am to 7 pm on Friday (July 26). 

"The curfew will be in force until 6 am on July 25 (Thursday) and again from 7 pm until July 29 (Saturday) morning," Zakir Hossain told reporters. 

He also clarified that the curfew would be relaxed from 6 am to 7 pm, that is, 13 hours, on July 26 in Panchagarh, Dinajpur, Thakurgaon, Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, Gaibandha and Rangpur districts of Rangpur division. 

Like other days, on Friday (July 26), BGB, police, RAB and Ansar members would work in the field with the army to ensure security. 

To suppress the joint force patrols have been strengthened in the entire district to avoid any untoward incident. 

The then Rangpur Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Mobasswer Hasan told local journalists that apart from the army, BGB, police, RAB and Ansar members were working to maintain law and order. 

Abu Sayeed's family receives financial assistance from Berobi administration 

Meanwhile on July 26, the Begum Rokeya University administration provided financial assistance to the family of martyr Abu Sayeed, a 12th batch brilliant student of the Department of English, who was killed in police firing on July 16. 

On Friday (July 26) morning, a university delegation went to village Babanpur under Pirganj upazila of Rangpur and handed over a check of Taka 7.50 lakh to his parents. 

Talking to local reporters on July 26, former proctor Md Shariful Islam confirmed this, saying that on the instructions of the Vice-chancellor, the university administration was always in touch with Sayeed's parents. 

"The Vice-chancellor himself is also keeping track of Abu Sayeed's family and has promised to stand by the family," said the then proctor.

In the meantime, the then Rangpur Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner (Crime) Abu Maruf Hossain on July 26 told reporters that the police arrested more 20 BNP-Jamaat members from the metropolitan area.

"The 20 people, including the coordinator of Kukrul ward Jamaat in the metropolis, Shakhawat Hossain, were arrested in a 24-hour period from 8 am on July 25 to 8 am on July 26 in connection with the attack, vandalism, arson and looting cases," he said. 

Talking to BSS today, Begum Rokeya University student coordinator and fellow fighter of martyr Abu Sayeed, Rahamat Ali said that internet services were shut down at that time, which made it difficult for students to communicate. 

"The fascist regime, its organs and the terrorists of Awami League and its allied organizations created a reign of terror by threatening mass arrests and forced disappearances of revolutionary students and the public in Rangpur city," he said. 

"Like the previous days, July 26 was also similar when it was very difficult to go out and organize students. However, at the risk of our lives, we frontline fighters of July made it possible to strengthen the movement to overthrow the fascist regime," he said.