Unnecessary force on protesters
We protest the highhanded government action on anti-Rampal power plant activists on January 26 that left scores of people injured. What was supposed to be a peaceful protest turned unnecessarily violent when protesters were barred from entering Shahbagh as they approached the DU Fine Arts faculty. The protesters, many of them students, were met with tear gas, water cannon and baton charges by the law enforcers.
There were only several hundred protesters and no reason to believe that they were a threat to public safety, hence the disproportionate use of force was unwarranted. The brutal way a photojournalist was beaten up by law enforcers for trying to take footage of a policeman beating up a protester gives a glimpse of the unnecessary force used. In fact other journalists were assaulted for doing their job.
Does this mean no one can hold demonstrations or express opinions contrary to the government's which is what the protesters were doing?
The claim by a deputy commissioner that these measures were taken to keep the Shahbagh intersection clear because there were two hospitals there, is hardly convincing. Such diligence to keep major thoroughfares clear is not seen when ruling party members hold rallies or marches to celebrate various occasions that create huge gridlocks in the city.
The government's action belies the much vaunted claim that democracy and freedom of expression exist in the country. Such display of intolerance for peaceful protest does not help to enhance the country's image, much less the government's claim to democratic credentials.
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