Chhatra Shakti stages protest at DU over alleged attack on NCP activists

Jatiya Chhatra Shakti staged a protest rally and held a brief gathering at Dhaka University (DU) on Wednesday night, condemning the alleged attack on the convoy of leaders and activists of the National Citizen Party (NCP) in Habiganj, the imposition of Section 144 during the party's centrally announced programme, and what it described as police obstruction.

The organisation demanded the arrest of those responsible for the attack, protection of freedom of expression, and an end to restrictions on political programmes.

The protest procession began from the Raju Memorial Sculpture around 9pm. It marched through the VC Chattar before returning to the Raju Memorial Sculpture, where it concluded with a brief rally. Central leaders of Chhatra Shakti as well as leaders of its DU unit attended the programme.

Addressing the rally, Tahmid Al Muddassir Chowdhury, president of the DU unit of Chhatra Shakti, alleged that the current government is following the path of the previous regime by suppressing dissent.

He said, "There are signs that Tarique Rahman is developing the tendencies of Sheikh Hasina. Just as Hasina's government used sand-laden trucks to suppress dissent, they attempted to block the NCP protest march in the same way. But those who freed the country from 17 years of authoritarian rule and secured Begum Khaleda Zia's release from prison cannot be stopped by sand trucks. Whether in the name of Tarique or Hasina, fascism will never be allowed to return to this country."

Chhatra Shakti Central Council General Secretary Abu Bakar Majumdar alleged that the BNP is moving towards establishing a "one-party" system following the national election.

He said, "Their plans before the election have become evident over the past five months–how to curb people's freedom of speech and how to attack public meetings and rallies."

Criticising the activities of the home minister and the education minister, Abu Bakar alleged that the government is using the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal to create violence on university campuses.

"The Awami League failed to suppress movements with sand trucks, and you will not succeed with empty trucks either. You have failed to understand the democratic transformation that has taken place in the minds of the people through the July mass uprising," he said.

Abu Bakar further warned that public dissatisfaction with the government will intensify if it continues to suppress freedom of expression through repression and attacks.

At the end of the protest, the speakers demanded the immediate arrest and trial of those allegedly involved in the attack on NCP leaders and activists in Habiganj.