‘Withdraw false cases against us’

A number of youths who took to the streets last year for safe roads yesterday demanded that all cases against students be withdrawn immediately, and that culprits who had carried out attacks on protesters and journalists during the demonstrations be brought to book.

The protesters, under the platform “Nirapod Shorok Andolon”, organised a human chain yesterday in the city’s Science Lab area to press home their demands.

Terming the cases against them false, they said the cases are affecting their studies and work as well, as the accused do not know when the investigations will be complete.

During and after the protest, more than 100 people -- mostly students of private universities and colleges -- were rounded up in some 60 cases filed in the capital alone over “causing violence and spreading rumours”, according to Dhaka Metropolitan Police.

The cases were filed against several thousand unidentified students and youths for assaulting police, damaging government property and obstructing law enforcers from discharging duties.

However, the alleged ruling party men who attacked the protesters, journalists and beat them up on the streets were never brought to justice.

In many cases, such attacks happened in front of police, as seen in videos and photos published in the media.

Enzamul Haque, joint-convener of the platform, said it is frustrating that a year into the incident, the attackers are still roaming freely even after media outlets identifying them.

Such picture is worrying to any citizen, he added.