Several hundred teachers, students and officials carrying placards and banners took part in the human chain stretching from Binodpur bazaar to Kazla gate.

Later, a meeting was held in front of the university main gate with Ruta President Prof Zillur Rahman in the chair.

At the meeting, Prof Zillur Rahman declared that Ruta would hold human chain on the Rajshahi-Dhaka highway every Saturday till their demands were met.

Students and activists of different student fronts of political parties also and took part in the human chain.

Meanwhile, teachers and students of Geology and Mining department yesterday took out a silent procession on the campus demanding arrest and punishment to killers of Prof S Taher Ahmed, founding teacher of the department, killed on February 2 at his flat.

The processionists,led by the departments chairman Prof Sayed Shamsuddin paraded streets on the campus and joined the Ruta human chain.

Awami League backed Teachers, Officers and Employees Welfare Association also took out a silent procession on the campus to press the demand for arrest and trial of the two senior teachers.

They demanded arrest of RU Islami Chhatra Shibir President Salehi for his alleged involvement in the murder of Prof Taher and his trial in special tribunal.

They held a rally in front of the Senate building.

RU unit of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) also took out a procession and held a rally in front of Central Library demanding trial of the killers.

BCL leaders alleged at the rally that Jamaat-Shibir leaders are trying to protect Prof Taher's alleged killer Salehi. They threatened tougher agitation against the BNP-Jamaat government if Salehi is not arrested and punished.

BCL leaders Obidur Rahman, Alberuni Faruk, Tapas Kumar and Zahid Ali addressed the rally.