On 27 July 2024, a total of 12 members of the University Teachers Network visited the DB office on Minto Road in the capital. Their purpose was to inquire about the three coordinators, Nahid Islam, Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan, and Abu Bakar Majumdar, who were in DB custody.
The day before, these coordinators were forcibly taken from the hospital "for security reasons."
On the Facebook page of the University Teachers Network, it was mentioned that, "We, 12 university teachers, did not go for a social visit to meet with the DB chief. We went for an urgent and serious matter. We believe that his failure to meet with us is a serious neglect of duty, and we find his behaviour extremely rude and disrespectful."
In the evening, the DB took two more coordinators into custody, Hasnat Abdullah and Sarjis Alam. The DB cited security concerns for their detainment, adding that they would be questioned about the ongoing events.
The statement of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement
That night, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement held an online press conference issuing three demands and gave the government a 24-hour ultimatum to fulfil them.
Among the three demands was the release of the coordinators and other detained activists, the withdrawal of false charges, and action against all those involved in the "genocide," from ministers to constables.
Regarding the quota issue, Mahin Sarkar, one of the key coordinators of the movement, said, "The government is claiming that our main demand has been met, but we demanded to form a commission to resolve the issue. Since that has not been done, we reject this decree."
The press conference also mentioned that the police's crackdown had disrupted communication among the activists, preventing the announcement of a coordinated program. The movement warned that if their demands were not met within 24 hours, they would launch stronger actions.
Conspiracy to economically impoverish the country: Sheikh Hasina
That day, the then-prime minister Sheikh Hasina visited the National Orthopaedic Hospital and Rehabilitation Institute to meet the injured.
She told reporters, "This destruction is part of a conspiracy to turn Bangladesh into a beggar's nation again."
"This conspiracy aimed to cripple Bangladesh economically. The people of the country must bring justice to those responsible for this violence. It was the 'complete shutdown' caused by the quota protest that led to so many casualties. We must all remain alert so that no one can carry out such destruction again," she added.
Relaxation of curfew announced
On the night of the 27th, in a press conference, then home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal announced that the curfew would be further relaxed.
He stated that from July 28th to 30th, the curfew would be relaxed from 7am to 6pm in Dhaka City, Dhaka District, Gazipur City and Gazipur District, Narayanganj, and Narsingdi. He explained that the relaxation was due to the improving law and order situation.
On the surface, the situation seemed to be improving, with curfew restrictions being eased, people moving about freely, and even the familiar traffic jams returning.
However, along with this, arrests were increasing, the number of casualties was rising, and hospitals were filled with the screams of the injured.
Therefore, it was not hard to understand that Asaduzzaman Khan's "improved law and order situation" was merely the eerie calm before the storm.
Comments