United News of Bangladesh

The Anti-discrimination Student Movement has announced ‘March for Unity’ instead of proclamation of July revolution programme at the central Shahid Minar on Tuesday. They disclosed the decision at a press conference in capital’s Rupayan tower early Tuesday. In the written speech, Arif Shohel, member secretary of Anti-discrimination Student Movement, said the proclamation of July revolution is essential as a recognition of the sacrifice of thousands of martyrs and wounded victims, and as a document of the people's aspirations. The historic responsibility for formulating this declaration rested with the organisation leading the mass uprising, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, he said. Govt to prepare declaration of July uprising: CA’s Press Wing “Despite various challenges, we, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, took on the responsibility of formulating and declaring this historic document on behalf of the students and people of Bangladesh." "As a result of our initiative, there has been a spontaneous and positive response among the students and other people of Bangladesh. In this context, at the call of people including students an initiative has been taken from the government to formulate the July Declaration based on national consensus. “ “People are applauding this timely initiative. In continuation of this, today, on December 31st, Tuesday, at 3:00 PM, the "March for Unity" programme will hold at the Central Shahid Minar,” he said. Pilkhana Tragedy: Martyred Army families demand fair probe, call for Martyred Army Day He urged people to continue the enthusiasm they have shown and participate spontaneously in tomorrow's program. Abdul Hannan Masud, coordinator of Anti-discrimination Student Movement, said,” We have initially achieved victory. The government has given its consent regarding the proclamation of July revolution. The proclamation will come from our government, but that doesn't mean our gathering will stop." The press conference was also attended by many coordinators and leaders from Jatiya Nagarik Committee.  CA's Press Wing sits with journalist groups

The fallout from President Shahabuddin Chuppu's controversial remarks over the resignation of Sheikh Hasina as prime minister continues, with the coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Students movement now demanding his resignation. They voiced their demand from a massive demonstration held at the Central Shahid Minar on Tuesday afternoon. They also demanded that the Bangladesh Chhatra League, student wing of the Awami League, be banned immediately within the next 48 hours. Addressing the rally, Sarjis Alam, one of the six central coordinators of the ADS movement, also called upon the movement to unite nationwide behind these demands. Giving an ultimatum of two days to ban BCL as a terrorist organisation, Sarjis said, "The ADS movement wants to send a clear message that if needed again, we are ready to give our eyes, ready to give our feet, ready to give our hands, even ready to give our lives." "The rise of the fascist Chhatra League will not be tolerated as it is responsible for killing our brothers. Even with our lives, we will fight forever to resist the fascists named Chhatra League, Jubo League and Awami League," he added. Read: Protesters stage demo near Bangabhaban demanding President’s removal Addressing the issue of the president, another coordinator Abdul Hannan Masood said: "We started our revolution from this Shahid Minar. Fascist Hasina fled from Bangladesh fearing the revolution. You ensured it on that day but why are you lying now? We want to make it clear - just like Hasina, the murderer, escaped, Chuppu must also resign." Masood demanded that Chhatra League be banned as a terrorist organization by Thursday. Also mentioning a demand to scrap the present constitution, the students warned of a siege of Bangabhaban, the president's official residence, if he doesn't resign.

At least six people were injured in a clash between two groups of Sramik League, one of Awami League’s front organisations, over placing wreaths at the central Shaheed Minar in Manikganj Sadar Upazila on Tuesday.  The clash erupted between the followers of Sramik League leaders Abdul Jalil and Babul Sarkar around 9:00am in front of the central Shaheed Minar at Manikganj Govt High School. Later, the Jubo League and the Shecchashebok League also got involved in the fight. Jubo League leaders Nazmul and Pradip Basu, Shecchashebok League leader Kajal and Sramik League leader Kader were among the injured.  According to police and party sources, a long-standing dispute has been going on between Abdul Jalil and Babul Sarkar over the leadership of district Sramik League. Both claim themselves as president of the district Sramik League.  On Tuesday morning, leaders and activists from Awami League’s front organisations gathered around Manikganj’s central Shaheed Minar to pay their homage to the  1952 Language Movement martyrs.  Later,  district AL’s former additional secretary Sultanul Azam Khan announced the name of Abdul Jalil as the Shecchashebok League leader to place wreaths at the Shaheed Minar triggering protest from Babul Sarkar’s followers. Protests led to a massive clash between the two groups. Senior party leaders and police officers intervened to bring the situation under control about half an hour later.  District Awami League's General Secretary Abdus Salam termed the incident "unexpected" and said disciplinary action would be taken against those who were involved in the clash. Abdur Rouf, officer-in-charge of Kaliganj Police Station, told UNB that no complaint was immediately filed in this regard. “However, the senior leaders of the district Awami League have managed to reach a compromise between the two groups,” he added.