Students besiege Shahbag police station after alleged assault on Dhaka University (DU) students and journalists during anti-drug drive at Suhrawardi Udayan.
DU students besieged Shahbag police station on Tuesday, demanding the removal of Ramna Division Deputy Commissioner of Police Md Masud Alam and an end to all policing activities in the campus area following alleged police assaults on a DU student and journalists during an anti-drug operation at Suhrawardi Udayan.
Protest began around 1pm on Tuesday when students from various departments gathered in front of Shahbag police station.
The incident occurred Monday night when police conducting an anti-drug operation allegedly assaulted Naim Uddin, a 29th batch student from the Anthropology Department and convener of the Dhaka Metropolitan Unit of Revolutionary Student Youth Movement, along with two journalists and other bystanders.
Videos circulating on social media show police officers beating Banglanews24.com multimedia journalist Tofayel Ahmed of with batons. Another video shows Naim being pulled from behind and beaten with batons while speaking with DC Masud Alam. Other police officers later rescued Tofayel and took him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
Kausar Ahmed Ripon (27) of Ajker Patrika was also among the journalists assaulted. Three DU students were detained during the operation.
Naim told reporters that he and friends were discussing an event titled ‘Evening of Many Languages’ at Suhrawardi Uddayan when police confronted them on their way back. "After finding nothing illegal on us, they accused us of arguing with them. I was injured on my head, hands and feet. They also beat my friend who was with me," he said.
He added that female students have also faced harassment many times, indicating general students are not safe. "This responsibility lies not only with the police administration but also with Dhaka University administration, as they have failed to ensure the safety of DU students."
Speaking at the protest, Anthropology Department student Kafira Jahan said questioning law enforcement agencies is a citizen's right. "This right has been violated for a long time. Yesterday's attack on Naim is part of the ego-based violence police always commit."
"Naim was walking in the park, he was questioned. Naim showed he had nothing. He was beaten for questioning the police. Where is the justice in this? Who will be held accountable? We don't want just accountability. We want legal action against DC Masud and his force," she said.
Addressing the government, she warned, "We didn't bring you to power to suck your thumb. If you send police to beat us after coming to power, you should know what the consequences could be."
Theatre Department student Ashraful Alam alleged state forces are working hard to create divisions among Bangladeshis. "When police carry out such oppressive activities, people from different parts of Bangladesh write right and wrong things on Facebook. But you must remember, today this is happening to me. Tomorrow it will happen to you."
He continued, "Today you think someone can be harassed on suspicion of being a drug user. Tomorrow police can harass you on any suspicion - Chhatra Dal, Chhatra Shibir, Chhatra League suspicion. We must speak against this police harassment. If this continues, none of us are safe."
Anthropology Department's Abdullah Hel Bubun presented three demands: punishment for DC Masud and all police members involved in the assault; stopping all kinds of policing inside and outside the campus area; and ensuring round-the-clock security and human rights for all university students.
Earlier at noon, Bangladesh Chhatra Federation held a protest at the base of Raju Sculpture, demanding protest against police assault and justice.
DUCSU Vice President (VP) Shadik Kayem issued a statement on Monday night strongly condemning the incident. "Attacking an unarmed person like this is against law and human rights. If something illegal is found with someone or there is an allegation, the proper procedure is to arrest them through legal process and hand them over to court. Use of force without provocation is unacceptable in any way," he said.
He added that such attacks on university students and journalists on duty are against independent media and civil rights. Law enforcement agencies are expected to show restraint, professionalism and respect for the law.
DUCSU demanded immediate identification and exemplary punishment of police members involved in the incident, alongside strict monitoring to ensure innocent students, journalists and ordinary people are not harassed during anti-drug or other operations.
