🇧🇩 In Bangladesh, A Violent 'Student Revolution' is on بنگلہ دیش میں انقلاب

Govt risks further alienation as the outrage cycle resumes
It must stop crackdown on protests, mass arrests


VISUAL: STAR

We fail to comprehend what the government wants to achieve through its continued crackdown on protesters, which has seen at least 10,947 individuals arrested in 674 cases filed in Dhaka and 51 other districts between July 18 and August 1. Is it really to establish accountability for the violent events of July 18-21? Is it to buttress its narrative around BNP-Jamaat orchestrating the unrest? Is it to punish students, activists, and anyone who dared to stand up against its security forces and party cadres? Is it to disabuse citizens of the notion that those security forces—including police and BGB—were to blame for the killing of over 200 people? Or is it simply an attempt, ludicrous as it may be, to force-restore public order?

Whatever it is, it is not working. It is not the right way. And it is backfiring, in spectacular fashion. On Friday, predictably enough, the public outrage cycle has begun again, with protesters taking to the streets across the country to demand justice for their fallen compatriots, including many students, about two weeks ago. And as before, security forces, aided by party cadres, again violently responded to it, leading to two more deaths and many injuries. How long this cycle will continue depends on how long the government can ignore the already-unprecedented human toll of this movement.

Ever since the first wave of violence, the government's law enforcement focus has been mainly twofold: conduct raids and arrests for the July 18-21 events, and suppress public outbursts at the killings. If we are to stick to the legal measures taken by the law enforcers so far, many disturbing trends about their arrests and case filings have also come to light. From conducting "block raids" to abducting six key coordinators of quota reform protests to bringing trumped-up charges against listed political rivals to inflating the age of minors implicated in cases to falsifying First Information Reports (FIR) to grossly violating Supreme Court guidelines for arrests and remand to allegedly engaging in "arrest business"—the list of objectionables reported in the media is quite long.

All this runs in the face of claims by the home minister and other top officials that the arrests are being made "based on evidence," and not as part of any mass arrest campaign. We have earlier commented on how the mass arrests and block raids, often targeting students involved in quota reform protests, have created widespread panic among ordinary citizens. Add to that the legal hassles and the uncertainty they bring in victims' families. This will no doubt add to the overall climate of anger and distrust, further alienating the government.

Against this backdrop, it is no wonder that the recent change in government tone—as evidenced by the slowdown in lamentation for destroyed public infrastructure, finally acknowledging the catastrophic tragedy that accompanied it, and signalling openness to international cooperation in investigations—is seen suspiciously by many protesters out there, and for that, the ongoing crackdown and arbitrary detentions are largely responsible. The question is, when will the government understand that no amount of rhetoric or theatrics can deflect attention from the overarching need for justice preceded by a credible investigation?

Restoring public trust, and indeed order, cannot begin without an honest endevour. The wounds from those days of reckless firing cannot be healed by reckless arresting, which will only make things worse. If the government really wants the public to trust in its sincerity to conduct a fair and thorough investigation into the July tragedy, it must stop these law enforcement excesses and make way for an independent probe of international standards. It must bring the light on the role of its own security forces in the killings.​

We were forcibly detained, didn't voluntarily issue movement withdrawal statement
Say 6 key quota movement organisers a day after being released by DB


The six key organisers of the quota reform movement today said they did not voluntarily issue the statement to withdraw their movement while they were forcibly detained by the detective branch of police.

"Since July 19, the coordinators of the anti-discrimination student movement have been missing, arrested, tortured and harassed mainly to disperse the movement and leadership. Subsequently, six coordinators were forcibly detained in DB custody for seven days in the name of 'security'. Although the Home Minister and the DB chief talked about security, we were kept in DB custody to isolate us from the movement," the statement said.

The statement was signed by Nahid Islam, Sarjis Alam, Hasnat Abdullah, Asif Mahmud, Nusrat Tabassum, and Abu Baker Majumdar.

The six were released from DB custody around noon yesterday.

"We did not voluntarily give the video message about the withdrawal of the movement broadcast from the DB office. No decision on the anti-discrimination student movement can come from the DB office. No decision will be taken as final without the participation of all coordinators and agitating students across the country.

They said in the statement that they were forced to sit on the dining table and then the video message was forcibly filmed.

"It was assured that we would be released, so our families were called and made to sit for 13 hours and false statements were made to the media. When our teachers came to meet us, they were not allowed to."

They said they sought safety and assurances that they would not be victims of enforced disappearances, arrested or tortured.

"We wanted to guarantee our right to expression. But we were kept in DB custody unconstitutionally and illegally. At first, we were told about security, but later they talked about the court, [that] we cannot be released without a court order."

"No one can be safe in the custody of those who shoot and kill unarmed students and citizens. We don't want security for this farce from the government, we want justice for the murder of our brothers and sisters.

"Nahid Islam, Asif Mahmud and Abu Baker started a hunger strike at the DB office on July 30 in protest of the unjust arrest of the coordinators, arrest and torture of the students across the country. Later, Sarjis Alam, Hasnat Abdullah and Nusrat Tabassum also started a hunger strike."

They said that the hunger strike was kept secret from the family and the media. After over 32 hours of hunger strike, it was called off when the DB chief gave the final decision to free the six coordinators.

"In the last seven days, harassment, torture and a drama were staged with us and our families in the DB office. We strongly condemn and protest it," they said.

"We were unjustly detained on the orders of the home minister. The government has put the law enforcers face to face with the students and citizens. The government is still continuing its repression on the students and continuing to arrest and torture of the protesting students in the country and obstruct peaceful programmes.

"The anti-discrimination student movement will continue demanding the trial of the killing of students and citizens and the release of the detained innocent people. Students and citizens across the country will be urged to take to the streets defying the government's propaganda and repression. The blood of the martyrs will not go in vain," the statement ended.​

Protests all over
Staff Correspondent 02 August, 2024, 23:31


Students, parents, professionals and people from all walks of life join the mass procession titled 'Droho Jatra' called by the Students Movement Against Discrimination, a platform for quota reform movement, at the Central Shaheed Minar in the capital on Friday. | Sony Ramany

Hundreds of thousands of people on Friday came out on the streets across the country protesting at brutal killings and repression by the government during the student movement in July seeking reform of the quota system for government jobs

At least two people, including a police constable, were killed as fresh violence erupted, leading police to open fire on protestors in places during the protests, taking the overall death toll to 216 in the student movement.

Habiganj District General Hospital superintendent Aminul Haque Sarker confirmed the death of an electrician named Mustak, 26, at the hospital.

'I am now outside the hospital. A local police officer informed me that one bullet injured people had died in the hospital,' he said.

Khulna Metropolitan Police commissioner M Mozzamel Haque confirmed the death of police constable Md Sumon in the city in a clash between police and protesters.

New Age correspondents from different districts reported that scores of people, mostly agitating students, were injured in police and ruling party attacks in places, with almost every district witnessing some kind of demonstration.

In Dhaka, thousands of people from all walks of life, including students of different schools, colleges, and universities, along with their parents, took to the streets in different parts of the capital.

The protesters demanded justice for those killed in the student protest and demanded the resignation of prime minister Sheikh Hasina's government by taking responsibility for those killings.

Police opened fire on protesters in the capital's Uttara area, while the ruling Awami League's associate bodies also joined the attack, allegedly.

The clash erupted in Uttara-11 when several thousand protesters, including students and devotees, took to the streets at about 2:00pm after jumma prayers.

People in social media posts urged for help as AL's associate body, the Bangladesh Chhatra League, attacked them in houses where they had taken shelter in Uttara.

The ruling party activists also attacked female protesters.

Several protesters were reportedly injured in the attacks, though New Age could not immediately confirm any figures.

Uttara West police officer-in-charge, BM Farman Ali, denied the allegations of police brutality against protesters.

The protesters held demonstrations and brought out processions in Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, the National Press Club, Central Shaheed Minar, Shahbagh, Science Laboratory, and Dhanmondi areas, among other places.

Students blocked the science laboratory crossing from 2:00pm to 4:15pm pressing their nine-point charter of demands.

While talking to reporters at the Science Laboratory crossing, Safwan Wasik, a HSC first-year student at Birshreshtha Munshi Abdur Rouf Public College, alleged that students could not stay in their homes due to police crackdown on protesters.

'Sheikh Hasina must step down for killing students and general people along with making wholesale arrests,' he said.

New Market police station officer-in-charge, Aminul Islam, claimed they did not use force against students to avoid untoward incidents.

After Jumma prayers at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, hundreds of devotees brought out a protest procession from the mosque's main gate.

Starting from the Press Club area, a procession named 'Droho Jatra' concluded with students, teachers, and people from all walks of life announcing their four-point charter of demands from the central Shaheed Minar.

Chhatra Union faction president Ragib Naeem announced the demands, saying that a mass procession would be held in front of the National Press Club at 3:00pm on Sunday if their demands were not met.

The demands include the release of arrested students and people, the withdrawal of the curfew, the reopening of educational institutions, and the resignation of the government.

Thousands of people, including teachers, students, guardians, human rights activists, cultural activists, and people from different professions, joined the protest in front of the central Shaheed Minar, braving the rain.

Before the procession, Anu Muhammad, a former professor at Jahangirnagar University, said that the primary demand of the present movement was the resignation of the Awami League government.

A group of journalists held a demonstration in the Kawran Bazar area, protesting at killings and attacks on journalists during the student protest.

In the Mirpur DOHS area, family members of retired army officers were seen bringing out a procession.

Clashes in Habiganj, Sylhet

Quoting hospital sources and witnesses, New Age staff correspondent in Sylhet reported that at least 50 people were injured and one killed during a clash between police and protesters in Habiganj.

The protesters set the district Awami League office and several motorcycles on fire and threw stones at the house of Habiganj-3 constituency lawmaker and district Awami League president Abu Zahir.

Witnesses said after the jumma prayers, students gathered in separate groups and joined the main road of the town.

When the procession reached the Awami League office, a clash erupted between the students and some Awami League leaders and activists.

At one point, Awami League activists retreated, and protesters set the party office on fire, prompting the police to fire rubber bullets and tear gas shells at the protesters.

Border Guard Bangladesh and the Rapid Action Battalion joined the police later to disperse protesters.

In Sylhet, police set barriers to prevent a mass procession brought out by protesting students.

When the protesting students attempted to march forward, pushing the barriers aside, the police personnel fired tear gas shells, rubber bullets, and sound grenades.

The incident took place in the Akhalia area near the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology around 4:00pm.

At least 20 people, including students, policemen, journalists, and pedestrians, suffered injuries during the clashes.

Police claimed that protesters had taken positions in the Akhalia area and blocked the Sylhet-Sunamganj highway.

Azbahar Ali Sheikh, deputy commissioner of Sylhet metropolitan police, said that they repeatedly requested the students leave the place, but they did not oblige, prompting police action.

Apart from students, at least three policemen and a Sylhet correspondent of Daily Kalbela were also injured in the clash.

Azbahar said that they had detained seven protesters on the spot.

Police constable dies in Khulna

In Khulna, clashes between students and police were reported at Zero Point, Gallamari Mor, and the Khulna University area from afternoon to evening.

Police fired tear gas shells, rubber bullets, and sound grenades at the students, who responded back with brickbats.

Nine people were admitted to Khulna Medical College Hospital with gunshot wounds until 6:30pm, four in critical condition, hospital director Goutam Kumar Paul said.

KMP commissioner Mozammel Haque said that the students were supposed to carry out the programme peacefully. But they attacked the police, beating constable Suman to death and leaving at least 20 police personnel injured.

10 injured in Narsingdi

In Narsingdi, at least 10 people, including students and parents, were injured in attacks by the Awami League and its front bodies, the Chhatra League and Juba League, as they intercepted a mass rally brought out by protesters.

The incident took place in the presence of law enforcement agencies in front of the Narsingdi Press Club.

Locals said that the Chhatra League leaders and activists took a position with sticks in the Narsingdi upazila crossing area before noon.

Later, when the students entered the area with a procession around 3:30pm, they were first stopped by the police before they were joined by leaders and activists of the Chhatra League and the Awami League, triggering a clash.

Narsingdi model police officer-in-charge Tanvir Ahmed told reporters that he was not aware of any clashes.

New Age correspondent among injured

In Lakshimipur, at least 30 people, including New Age correspondent Faruk Hossain, were injured in an attack of Chhatra League and Juba League activists on student protests in Sadar and Ramganj upazilas.

New Age staff correspondent in Chattogram reported that thousands of people from all walks of life joined a march brought out by protesters after jumma prayers, ignoring heavy rain, to demand justice for recent killings.

Starting from the Andarkilla mosque, the procession marched towards the New Market crossing, passing through the Laldighi-Rifles Club road, and staged a demonstration there.

When the procession was passing the WASA crossing, protesters vandalised a police box, witnesses said.

Mobile internet users across Bangladesh said that they could not access social media platforms Facebook and Telegram for seven hours between 12.00pm and 7.00pm.

Citing metrics, the Internet's Observatory organisation NetBlocks, in a post in X, said social media and messaging platforms Facebook, WhatsApp, and Telegram were again restricted in Bangladesh, while mobile data was also limited.

The government, however, denied the allegation of controlling the internet.


Eminent citizens under the banner of the Platform for Protests hold a rally, demanding justice for killing in the quota reform movement, in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka on Friday. — New Age photo


Agitating poets and writers hold a rally, protesting at the killings and repression on students and people in the quota reform movement, at Bangla Motor in the capital on Friday. — New Age photo​

Retired defence officials, families hold procession in Dhaka
The procession was followed by holding a rally where several retired senior army persons addressed the gathering expressing their support to the on-going movement

Staff Correspondent Dhaka
Published: 03 Aug 2024, 01: 09


Residents including retired defence personnel and their families bring out a mass procession in the capital's Mirpur DOHS on 2 August 2024.Prothom Alo

Residents in the capital's Mirpur DOHS (Defence Officer Housing Scheme) brought out a mass procession and held a rally amid heavy rains on Friday, expressing solidarity to the ongoing student movement across the country.

Several thousand people joined the programme chanting slogans demanding the trial of the killings of more than 200 people including students.

Participants were seen carrying a banner inscribing 'the call of retired defence officers, JCO and others' in front of the procession.

The Mirpur DOHS is one of several Defence Officer Housing Scheme (DOHS) in the country. A DOHS is mainly a residential area of retired defence personnel.

Witnesses said the procession started at 5:00 pm and paraded the entire DOHS area and ended in front of the DOHS Cultural Centre. Family members of the retired defence officials, especially women, also participated in the programme.



Residents including retired defence personnel and their families bring out a mass procession in the capital's Mirpur DOHS on 2 August 2024.Prothom Alo

At the procession, various slogans including 'We want justice', 'Who are we, who are we? Razakar, Razakar. Who said it, who said it? Dictator, Dictator.' 'My brothers are in grave, Killers are at large.'

The procession was followed by holding a rally where several retired senior army persons addressed the gathering expressing their support to the on-going movement.

The rally also protested and condemned the attacks of Bangladesh Chhatra League and 'helmet force' in coordination of the police to search students at the Mirpur DOHS on 18 July.​