The blogger was found murdered in front of his Mirpur residence Friday night, only hours after the Online Activists and Bloggers Network announced to relax its ongoing protest against the life sentence to Jamaat leader Abdul Quader Molla.

The organisers had Friday – the 11th day of their agitation -- decided to limit their round-the-clock protests at Shahbagh to seven-hour demonstration daily. But soon after the killing of Rajib, they reverted to round-the-clock protests.

Rajib’s name reverberates through Shahbagh as slogans are raised in memory of the atheist blogger, who apparently had attracted the wrath of the fundamentalists for his opposition to religion-led politics.

On Friday, protesters stood up to the national anthem and observed a minute of silence in memory of their slain comrade.

The Ganajagaran Mancha (mass awakening stage) agreed Friday that Rajib was a ‘martyr’ for the cause.

Slogans like “Shaheed Rajiber rokto, brithha jete dibo na”, “Shaheed Rajib shikhiyechhe, lorai kore bachte hobe” and “Ek Rajib lokantore, lokkho Rajib Shahbaghe” rent the Shahbagh air.

The protestors urged the people to unite against the Jamaat-Shibir combine.

Larger number of people gathered at Shahbagh Friday for the night vigil.

More people turned up to join the protests, especially students from schools and colleges, who are enraged by the murder.

Besides, freedom fighters from other parts of the country are also seen coming in greater numbers to the ‘Projonmo Chattar’ at Shahbagh.

Rajib received death threats for his online activities, especially blogging, in support of the war crimes trial.

A janaza for him is scheduled for 4pm Saturday at Shahbagh. (bdnews24.com)