The police on Tuesday dispersed university teachers, guardians and activists of different left-leaning political parties as they tried to stage a demonstration in front of the National Press Club, protesting against the attacks on quota reform activists by BCL men across the country, reports UNB.
The law enforcers also picked up professor Rahnuma Ahmed of Jagangirnagar University and former Bangladesh Chhatra Union president Baki Billah at that time. They were, however, released later on undertakings.
Witnesses said around 100 demonstrators, including teachers of different universities, under the banner of 'Concerned Guardians and Citizens' tried to gather in front of the National Press Club since afternoon to begin their scheduled rally at 4:00pm.
However, police dispersed them, saying they had no permission for holding the programme which led to a scuffle between the law enforcers and demonstrators.
At that time, police allegedly assaulted Dhaka University teacher professor Fahmidul Haq and Ganasanghati Andolon convener Zunayed Saki.
They also picked up professore Rahnuma Ahmed and Baki Billah from the spot. They were released in the evening.
"Police misbehaved with me even after knowing my identity. I and Rahnuma Ahmed got on the van after police arrested Baki Billah and wanted to talk to the police officer. The officer accused me of damaging the police vehicle and tried to arrest me, too. But the other demonstrators resisted their attempt," said Fahmidul Haq.
On Monday, several activists of the Bangladesh Sadharan Chhatra Odhikar Sangrakkhan Parishad, the platform which has been waging a campaign for reform in the quota system in the public service, were injured in attacks allegedly by Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) activists and police when they tried to stage their scheduled programme in different universities.
BCL is the student wing of ruling Bangladesh Awami League aka AL.
On Saturday, at least six leaders of the platform were injured in an attack allegedly by the BCL activists on the Dhaka University campus.
Protesting at the attack, the platform called an indefinite boycott of classes and examinations in all the universities and colleges across the country from Sunday.
On Sunday, detectives arrested Rashed Khan, joint convener of the platform, from Bhasantek in the city. Another joint convener Faruk Hassan was also shown arrested in a case.
In April, students of public and private universities across the country waged a strong movement demanding reforms in the quota system.
In the face of student agitations, AL president and prime minister Sheikh Hasina announced in parliament on 11 April abolition of all types of quotas in public jobs.
As no gazette notification has so far been issued regarding the abolishment of the quota system as per the PM's declaration, the leaders of the platform gathered in front of DU central library on Saturday to hold a scheduled press conference to announce their fresh programme. But, BCL activists allegedly carried out attacks on them around 10:50am.
