Abu Sayeed, a 25-year-old English department student and quota reform movement organizer at Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur, was killed during a clash between police and protesters on campus.

The cause of death remains unknown, as stated by Rangpur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Md Moniruzzaman and confirmed by the director of Rangpur Medical College Hospital, where Sayeed was pronounced dead on arrival.

Tuhin Wadud, a lecturer at the university who saw Abu Sayeed at Rangpur Medical College Hospital, stated that the student's body was riddled with shotgun pellet wounds.

On Tuesday afternoon, thousands of students from Rangpur district schools marched in a procession. They were joined by students from other city schools and colleges.

When they reached the police lines, police intervened with batons, but the students continued, blocking major roads for half an hour, said eyewitnesses.

Later, as the students moved towards Rokeya University, police again attempted to stop them. The students broke through the barricades and marched four kilometers to Lalbagh, joined by students from Carmichael College.

Clashes erupted near Rokeya University when Chhatra League and Jubo League activists blocked the demonstrators inside the main gate. The confrontation escalated, leading to clashes across a four-kilometer area.

Police tried to mediate, but gunfire and rubber bullets were used. Abu Sayeed was critically injured in the gunfire.

During this period, clashes erupted across a four-kilometer stretch from Lalbagh to Park Mode and Modern Mode. Police intervened to negotiate between the opposing factions near the main gate of Begum Rokeya University.

During these events, there were multiple instances of gunfire and rubber bullets being discharged. Abu Sayed sustained injuries from the gunfire and was also robbed.

Students managed to rescue him and took him to Rangpur Medical College Hospital in an autorickshaw, where despite efforts by busy doctors, he was pronounced dead.

Hospital sources revealed that police had transported his body to the hospital's morgue. Additionally, at least 25 others injured in the confrontation have been admitted to various clinics and Rangpur Medical College Hospital.

Meanwhile, members of the ruling party's youth wing, aligned with the protesters and quota advocates, are reported to have used batons, sticks, and other implements.

Protesters and university students have accused the ruling party's student wing of bringing in outsiders and positioning them inside the university's main gate to target protesters, causing injuries to over a hundred students through the throwing of bricks and stones.

They assert that Abu Sayed's death was the result of police gunfire.

Who was Abu Sayeed 

Abu Sayed, the youngest of nine children and the only one to pursue higher education due to family poverty, was studying English at Begum Rokeya University. 

Aspiring to a civil service career to uplift his family, he participated in the quota reform protests.

His brother, Ramjan, lamented the loss of their family's "only hope" and the shattering of their dreams for Sayed's future.

Sayed's father, Makbul Hossain, is ill and bedridden, unable to afford treatment. The family had sacrificed everything for Sayed's education, hoping he would bring them a better future. 

His death has devastated the family, especially his mother Monowara Begum, who has been overcome with grief and unable to speak.

Anwar Hossain, a neighbor, described Sayed as the brightest and kindest of his siblings, and the only one to pursue higher education. His death has deeply impacted the community.

The day before he was killed, Sayed shared a tribute on Facebook to Rajshahi University teacher and martyr Prof Dr Shamsuzzoha, expressing his willingness to sacrifice his life for the cause, and urging his generation to fight for justice and be remembered for their integrity.