‘Bikkhubdho Nagorik Shomaj,’ a citizens’ platform, gave a 24-hour ultimatum to authorities to release all students and general people arrested over the recent protests.
The platform came up with the ultimatum from a human-chain programme in front of the Detective Branch (DB) office in Dhaka around 3pm on Thursday.
Debapriya Bhattacharya, renowned economist and distinguished fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), said that all students and general people, who were arrested in Dhaka and other parts of the country, should be released within 24 hours.
Six quota protest coordinators released from DB custody
Referring to the release of the six coordinators of the quota reform movement, Debapriya said, “We are happy but not satisfied as many students, teachers, and others are still under custody across the country.”
Assistant Professor Samina Lutfa of Social Science Department, Dhaka University, said, “We have heard that the six coordinators of the quota reform movement were released but we do not know whether they were safe or not. So many boys and girls were arrested through block raids!”
She for releasing all students and general people arrested across the country over the quota reform issue.
Solidarity with student protests: Musicians, bands say they won’t perform at Joy Bangla Concert
She also urged the government to lift the curfew and withdraw the members of the law enforcing agencies from all educational institutions including Dhaka University and open those.
Noting that many students are under police custody, Prof. Mirza Taslima Sultana, head of the Department of Anthropology of Jahangirnagar University, said the detained students must be freed.
Prof. Asif Nazrul of Law Department of Dhaka University threatened to go for a movement if the detained students are not be released immediately and if justice is not ensured for the killings.
“Our programme will continue and a rally will be held at 3pm in front of the National Press Club on Friday,” said Prof. Rushad Faridi of the Economic Department of Dhaka University.
Among others at the rally were rights activist Shirin Haque, TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman, Prof. Gitiara Nasreen, among others, present there.