Withdraw cases in 7 days

In a new move, Bangladesh Sadharan Chhatra Adhikar Sangrakkhan Parishad, the platform that led the movement demanding quota reform, has threatened to boycott classes in colleges and universities across the country if the authorities concerned do not withdraw all four cases filed over the protest in seven days.

The ultimatum was announced at a press conference in front of Dhaka University's central library yesterday.

While reading out a statement, Nurul Haq Nur, joint convener of the platform, demanded that the authorities concerned sue the perpetrators after identifying them by scrutinising CCTV footage.

He alleged that the protesters and those who led the movement are receiving constant threats, while some people are spreading propaganda against them on different social media platforms including Facebook.

“We want security of those who played an active role during the protest and an immediate gazette notification of prime minister's declaration,” said Nurul.

Two other joint conveners -- Faruk Hasan and Muhammad Rashed Khan -- were also present there.

On Monday, the three top leaders of the quota reform movement were picked up by DB men wielding firearms in front of Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

It is alleged that they were dragged into a microbus, blindfolded and taken to the DB office in the name of interrogation. They were released after an hour.

Last week, the country witnessed a widespread movement of students of public and private universities across the country, demanding reforms to the quota system.

The protesters blocked key points in the capital and also roads and highways elsewhere for four days to press home their five-point demand, including reducing the quota privilege to 10 percent from 56, crippling the traffic system.

The movement turned violent on April 8 night after police went on action on the demonstrators. Clashes continued throughout the night, leaving around 163 people injured.

The same night, a group of unidentified youths vandalised the Dhaka University (DU) vice chancellor's residence on the campus.

On April 11, four cases were filed with Shahbagh Police Station against a huge number of unidentified people on charges of vandalism, arson as well as obstructing lawmen to perform their duty during demonstrations in Dhaka over quota reform in public service recruitment.

DU security officer Kamrul Ahsan filed one of the cases against some unknown persons for vandalising the residence of the university's Vice Chancellor Prof Mohammad Akhtaruzzaman, said the OC.

Humyan Kabir, inspector of Special Branch (SB) of police in Dhaka, filed another case accusing 30 to 40 unidentified people of torching his motorcycle and snatching his walkie-talkie from Doyel Chattar on the DU campus during the demonstration.

Besides, sub-inspectors Bhajan Kumar Bishwas and Robiul Islam filed two cases against a huge number of unknown people for obstructing policemen to perform their duties during the demonstration, the OC said.

DU TEACHERS HAND OVER LETTER TO VC

Meanwhile, nineteen teachers of DU met Vice Chancellor Dr Mohammad Akhtaruzzaman and handed over an open letter to him. Expressing concern over the recent attack on VC's residence, they requested the authorities concerned to find out the persons behind the attack and bring them to book.

They also expressed concern over infiltration of outsiders into the campus and attack on students.

Teachers said a frightening situation is created on the campus over recent incident of picking up student leaders by DB police and filing cases against unidentified persons.

Prof MM Akash, Prof Gitiara Nasreen, Associate Prof Fahmidul Haq, Associate Prof Robaet Ferdous, and Associate Prof Tanzimuddin Khan are among the signatories.