Wave of Tragedy: 18 University Students Died in 23 Days

From March 10 to April 3, a total of 18 students from different universities across the country have died unnaturally. Among them, five committed suicide, nine died in accidents, and four died due to illness. Five of the deceased were medical students, while the others were from various public and private universities. The highest number of deaths occurred on a single day — Friday (April 3). On the same day, four students also died in a bus plunge into the Padma River.

On March 10 (Tuesday), Anisa Sharmila Nafisa, a first-year student at Islami Bank Medical College in Rajshahi, died while undergoing treatment after being seriously injured in a road accident. On March 3, she was hit by a mini truck near Lily Hall while returning home from college. She was first taken to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital and later shifted to the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital in Dhaka, where she succumbed to her injuries.

On Friday, Arpita Nowshin, a 2021-22 session student of Cumilla’s private Central Medical College, committed suicide by swallowing 109 sleeping pills after failing a subject five times and facing her teacher’s anger.

Asif Asmat Nibir, a meritorious student of Industrial and Production Engineering (IPE), 21st batch at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), passed away on March 13 (Friday) after a long battle with cancer. He was from Chuadanga and had studied at Victoria Jubilee Government High School and Chuadanga Government College before joining BUET with the dream of becoming an engineer. He was also involved in writing and translation.

On March 16 (Monday) morning, Umme Habiba Riju, a student of Film and Media Studies (2018-19 session) at Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University, died after falling from the roof of her house in Kewatkhali area of Mymensingh city. She left behind a son and a daughter.

On the same day, Dipa Das, a student of Gopalganj Science and Technology University, died by suicide following a domestic quarrel with her husband. The previous evening, she had an argument with her husband over family matters. She then locked him in one room and hanged herself from the ceiling fan in the adjacent room.

On March 18, Sajib Dutta (27), a student of Dhaka Medical College, died by suicide by hanging in Katia area of Satkhira town. According to police, Sajib had been suffering from various physical and mental problems since childhood.

On March 22 (Sunday), Abdur Rahman Imon, a student of Daffodil International University’s Tourism and Hospitality Management Department (232 batch, third year), was killed in a road accident in Gazipur’s Kaliganj area.

On March 25, four students died when a bus plunged into the Padma River at Daulatdia Ferry Ghat in Rajbari. They were:

• Ahnaf Tahmid Khan Raiyan, student of Economics at Jahangirnagar University
• Johora Anti, student of Rajshahi Medical College (2017-18 session)
• Saif Ahmed, student of BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology (BUFT) and husband of Johora Anti
• Ayesha Akter Soma, student of Occupational Therapy (17th batch) at BHPI-CRP

On March 27 (Friday), Abdur Rahim Khairul, a student of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (24th batch) at Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU), died suddenly. He was from Kurigram.

On March 29 (Sunday), Anipa Nindia (25), a student of Lalmatia Women’s University, was found dead in a rented flat on the sixth floor in Bhatara area of Dhaka. She was from Matlab North, Chandpur.

On March 30 (Monday), Moumita Haldar, a Master’s student of Law at Khulna University, was killed after being hit by a private car in front of the District Council building in Khulna city.

On April 2 (Thursday) night, Simanto, a final-year student of Chemistry at Dhaka University, died by suicide after consuming poison in his rented house in Hazaribagh, Dhaka.

On April 3 (Friday) morning, Sabit Mahmud Shawon, a former student of English (44th batch) at Jahangirnagar University, was found dead in his rented house in Uttara, Dhaka. He had been suffering from mental depression for several days.

The series of unnatural deaths has cast a shadow of grief over the student community. Friends and well-wishers are expressing deep sorrow on social media, remembering the deceased as bright, kind, and full of dreams. The repeated incidents have raised serious concerns about students’ mental health, campus safety, and overall well-being.