Dhaka, Oct 13,(UNB)-- Member Secretary of Gono Adhikar Parishad Nurul Haque Nur and Coordinator of Ganasanghati Andolan Junaid Saki on Thursday submitted a memorandum to Dhaka University (DU) Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof Md Akhtaruzaman, asking for steps to free the arrested activists of Bangladesh Chhatra Odhikar Parishad. Earlier, Nur and Saki along with some general students and guardians of the arrested students gathered in front of the National Museum at Shahbagh intersection, from where they formed a rally and marched towards the VC’s office around 12:40pm. The two had a 50-minute conversation with the VC, during which they talked about the unconditional release of the students who were arrested by police over holding a “peaceful, non-political” program. "Although I’m a former Vice President (VP) of Dhaka University Central Students Union (DUCSU), I’m still concerned about the rights of the students of this campus. BCL activists had attacked the activists of Chhatra Odhikar Parishad while the latter were undergoing treatment at the hospital, which had crossed the last limit of cruelty," Nur said in a press briefing after leaving VC’s office. Nur added that the DU VC has assured them of taking necessary steps to release the arrested students. During the briefing, Saki said, "We were the students of this university too. During our time, activists of different political organizations could arrange their programs without any fear of getting attacked by rival groups. Nowadays it seems like the ruling party thugs are trying to suppress those who have a dissenting voice." Saki added that police should’ve arrested the attackers instead of arresting the injured students. In the memorandum submitted to DU VC, Nur and Saki raised four demands which include ensuring the safety of all students irrespective of their political affiliations, taking necessary steps against the recent attacks, proper investigation and administrative and legal actions against the attackers and arranging DUCSU elections regularly. Read: 24 Chhatra Odhikar Parishad members produced in court, a day after arrest Mizanur Rahman, father of one of the arrested students, said, "My son Saddam Hossen is not involved with any political party. Police have arrested him on false charges." When asked about the meeting, DU VC Prof Akhtaruzzaman said, "Students are our first priority. When I learned that some guardians and student representatives have come to me with their demands, I gave them the opportunity to speak. As a legal guardian, it’s my duty to stand with my students in times of hardship and I’ll try my best to do so," the VC said. The VC added that the whole Chhatra Odhikar Parishad incident was unexpected. "Students are not expected to carry sticks. As the incident took place in front of DMCH and police were present there, they took legal steps," Akhtaruzzaman added. Earlier on October 7, police detained 24 students, including 22 Bangladesh Chhatra Odhikar Parishad activists, from in front of DMCH following a clash between the parishad and Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) DU unit over arranging a program in memory of BUET student Abrar Fahad. Later, the students were shown arrested after a BCL activist filed a case with Shahbagh Police Station, accusing the Chhatra Odhikar Parishad activists of creating unrest and attacking BCL members.

The High Court has issued a contempt of court rule against Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal for failure to register Ganasanghati Andolan as a political party despite its earlier order. The HC bench of Justice Mamnoon Rahman and Justice Khandaker Diliruzzaman passed the order on Thursday following a petition by Gonosonhoti Andolon chief coordinator Zonayed Saki. The HC also issued a rule to the government to explain as to why directives should not be given to take punitive action against CEC. Also read: Junaid Saki files contempt of court case against CEC Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua stood for Zunaid. On April 11, 2019, the HC passed an order to provide registration to Ganasanghati Andolan as a political party. But the Election Commission is yet to comply with the court order. On December 28, 2017, Ganasanghati Andolan filed a petition seeking registration for the party. “Despite having a clear order in this regard, the authorities concerned did not take any initiative yet,” said Jyotirmoy. Also read: President appoints former defence secretary Kazi Habibul Awal as the new CEC Zonayed filed a petition on February 10, seeking punitive action against the CEC.

Coordinator of Ganasanghati Andolan Junaid Saki on Thursday filed a contempt of court case against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda for not registering his organization as a political party following the High Court’s order. Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua filed the case on behalf of Saki at the HC seeking punishment against the CEC in this regard. On December 28, 2017 Ganasanghati Andolan sent an application to the EC for registering it as a political organisation to which the commission replied on June 19, 2018, in a letter saying it cannot be done. Also read: Search committee asks political parties to suggest names for CEC, ECs Followed by receiving the rejection letter Junaid Saki filed a writ petition at the HC in this regard. On April 11, 2019, The High Court ordered the organisation to complete the legal procedures to provide license to Gansanghati Andolan within 30 days. Even after receiving clear direction and order from the court the EC did not take any step in this regard within the provided deadline. On October 10, last year, after getting no results contacting the EC several times a legal notice was sent to CEC KM Nurul Huda. Also read: Gazette published fixing eligibility and ineligibility criteria for CEC, election commissioners Receiving no response even to the letter the case was filed today, said Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua.

The Ganasanghati Andolan on Tuesday demanded release of two workers' leaders of state-owned Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC).

At least 23 leaders and activists of Left Democratic Alliance (LDA), including chief coordinator of Ganasanghati Andolan Zonayed Saki, were injured as police charged baton on their procession in Matsyabhaban area of the city on Monday.