Release all those arrested unjustly, arrest the real killers: Quota movement coordinators
Students of different institutions protest demanding the reinstatement of the 2018 circular cancelling quotas in recruitment in government jobs on 4 July 2024. File Photo: Mehedi Hasan/TBS
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Students of different institutions protest demanding the reinstatement of the 2018 circular cancelling quotas in recruitment in government jobs on 4 July 2024. File Photo: Mehedi Hasan/TBS
Farce is going on in the name of bringing killers to justice, said one of the coordinators of quota reform protests Asif Mahmud.
“It was assured that students will not be harassed but 87% of those arrested in Dhaka are non-political, students! A 16-year-old teenager was shown responsible for killing Abu Sayeed,” said Asif in a Facebook post.
Akhtar Hossain, Arif Sohail and all the unjustly arrested students must be released, demanded Asif. The real killers should be quickly arrested and brought to justice, he added.
“The tactic of suppressing movement and trying to legitimise murder by forcing political tags has failed this time. The people stood by the the students, our teachers, intellectuals, socio-cultural personalities stood against the mass arrest. Repression cannot stop this movement. Accept our demands unconditionally while there is still time,” he added.
All those responsible for the killings must be held accountable. This generation is molded differently, they do not shy away even from taking bullets, said Asif in his post.
“Challenging them will result in defeat,” he said.
“We ask the countrymen to make the protest programmes successful. And we call on the international community to protest this mass killing and mass arrest, stand by Bangladesh,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, recounting his time in custody another coordinator Abu Baker Majumder said, “I’ve gone through unspeakable torture and mental pressure since 19 July. I have been subjected to a series of actions, including abduction, being picked up from the hospital and finally, being in the custody of the Detective Branch (DB) of police, with the intention of isolating me from the students.
“My oxygen saturation and sugar level fell to an unprecedented level, and I became sick while I was on a hunger strike.”
“Decision of our street movement will be taken from the streets only. I salute those students and people who took to the streets rejecting the statement which DB officials took from us by force. Our movement will go on in demand of trials for the killings, resignation of the government officials responsible for the killing and in protests against mass arrests.
