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.