Police on Tuesday dispersed university teachers, guardians and activists of different left-leaning political parties as they tried to gather at the Jatiya Press Club to hold a rally protesting the attacks on the leaders and activists of Bangladesh General Students’ Rights Protection Council by BCL men across the country.
The law enforcers also picked up Prof Rehnuma Ahmed of Jagangirnagar University and former Bangladesh Chhatra Union president Baki Billah at that time. But, they were released later.
Witnesses said around 100 demonstrators, including teachers of different universities, under the banner of ‘Concerned guardians and citizens’ tried to gather at the Jatiya Press Club since afternoon to begin their scheduled rally at 4pm.
However, police dispersed them, saying they had no permission for holding the programme which led to a scuffle between the law enforcers and demonstrators.
At that time, police allegedly assaulted Dhaka University teacher Prof Fahmidul Haq and Ganosanghati Andolon convener Zonayed Saki.
They also picked up Prof Rehnuma Ahmed and Baki Billah from the spot. They were released in the evening.
Fahmidul Haq said, “Police misbehaved with me even after knowing my identity. I and Rehnuma Ahmed got on the van after police arrested Baki Billah and wanted to talk to the police officer. The officer accused me of damaging the police vehicle and tried to arrest me, too. But the other demonstrators resisted their attempt.”
On Monday, several activists of the Council were injured in attacks allegedly by Bangladesh Chhatra League activists and police when they tried to stage their scheduled programme in different universities.
On Saturday, at least six leaders of the platform were injured in an attack allegedly by the BCL activists on the Dhaka University campus.
Protesting the attack, the Council called an indefinite boycott of classes and examinations in all the universities and colleges across the country from Sunday.
On Sunday, detectives arrested Rashed Khan, joint convener of Bangladesh General Students’ Rights Protection Council, from Bhasantek in the city.Another joint convener Faruk Hassan was also shown arrested in a case.
In April, students of public and private universities across the country waged a strong movement demanding reforms in the quota system.
In the face of student agitations, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced in parliament on April 11 the abolition of all types of quotas in public jobs.
As no gazette notification has so far been issued regarding the abolishment of the quota system as per the PM’s declaration, the leaders of the Council gathered in front of DU central library on Saturday to hold a pre-scheduled press conference to announce their fresh programme. But, BCL activists reportedly carried out an attack on them around 10:50 am.
