Eminent citizens condemn attack on Nur, associates
Sunday’s attack on Ducsu VP Nurul Haque Nur and his associates yesterday drew strong condemnation from eminent citizens, rights activists and organisations.
Twenty-two noted personalities in a joint statement expressed concerns over the attack on Nur and his aides.
They demanded immediate legal action against the attackers, who “belong to an influential student organisation”.
“With deep concerns, we are observing that torture and attack on dissidents have been continuing. General and marginalised people have been under attack by people with political influence,” the statement said.
A few months back, members of this student organisation were involved with the brutal killing of Buet student Abrar Fahad, the signatories said. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the time had stated that such brutal incident would not recur, the statement said, adding that another heinous attack has taken place -- carried out by the same student organisation.
They also criticised the role of Dhaka University authorities, saying, “With this, Nur and his associates have come under attack for the ninth time, including five times at Dhaka University campus and its vicinity. Unfortunately, the university authorities did not take any action against the attackers in any incidents.”
“The statements of the vice-chancellor and proctor in media reports are biased towards a party, which is disappointing and embarrassing. Citizens want to see responsible action from these people who are holding important posts,” it added.
The eminent citizens also demanded a high-powered probe body for a fair investigation.
The signatories to the statement include Advocate Sultana Kamal, Hameeda Hossain, Khushi Kabir, Justice Nizamul Haque Nasim, Advocate Rana Dasgupta, Dr Iftekharuzzaman, Shaheen Anam, Ziauddin Tarique Ali, Advocate ZI Khan Panna, Barrister Sara Hossain, Sheepa Hafiza, Shamsul Huda, Dr Meghna Guhathakurta, Saleh Ahmed and Shirin Huq, among others.
Condemning the attack, rights organisations Bangladesh Mahila Parishad and Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) also demanded punishment of the attackers, belonging to Muktijuddho Moncho and Chhatra League.
“This attack is against the establishment of democracy and good governance,” the Mahila Parishad statement said.
Meanwhile, Amnesty International’s South Asia Campaigner Saad Hammadi wrote on Twitter: “Repeated violence at the universities committed by supporters of the ruling party on students undermines discipline, rule of law and most importantly the right to peacefully exercise freedom of expression.”
Universities are formative stages where students should have the freedom to learn and contest ideologies. Such demonstration of power by supporters of ruling party is damaging for the academic environment and integrity of the institutions, he added.
“The attack on Nur, Farabi and others is deeply troubling, as it happens three months into the killing of Buet student Abrar Fahad. It appears that the perpetrators are confident about getting away with such violence. The authorities have a responsibility to prove otherwise,” reads the tweet.
Meanwhile, Dhaka University Teachers’ Association (Duta) yesterday also protested and condemned the attack on Nur and his aides.
In a statement, it demanded to ensure proper treatment of the injured, and urged Nur to be “more responsible” in his work or statements.
The teachers’ body also requested university authorities to take tough steps if any outsider’s involvement is found in the attack.
They held Muktijuddho Moncho activists responsible for the attack, but did not mention Chhatra League’s involvement in the incident.