A protest rally and human chain in Khulna demanding the release of Baul Abul Sarkar and condemning attacks on shrines across the country came under attack on Wednesday.
The programme was organized by the Democratic Students’ Alliance at Shibbari intersection in the city. At least 15 activists were injured as attackers beat them and tore and burnt their banner.
Injured activists include members of Revolutionary Students’ Unity, Bangladesh Students’ Union, Students’ Platform, SDP and others from the Democratic Students’ Alliance.
The alliance strongly condemned the attack and placed four demands, including: arrest and trial of all attackers involved in the 26 November incident, proper treatment and security for the injured, effective state measures to stop extremist attacks across the country, and proper investigation into the role of police.
Eyewitnesses said that around 3:30pm the alliance announced a human chain at Shibbari. At the same time, another group gathered at the spot under a “students and people” banner alleging “insult to religion”. When the Democratic Students’ Alliance activists moved onto the road with their banner around 5:00pm, they were attacked with punches, kicks and sticks, and their banner was snatched and set on fire.
Khulna Sonadanga Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Kabir Hossain said some “students and general people” attacked the left-leaning students’ human chain, leaving several injured, though none seriously. Police quickly brought the situation under control and urged everyone to remain calm. No written complaint had been filed over the banner burning till then, he added.
