Protest intensifies

Teachers and students of Dhaka University (DU) yesterday formed a human chain in front of the Arts Building yesterday condemning the murder of publisher Faisal Arefin Dipan and attacks on bloggers.

Around 400 people from all walks of life including Imran H Sarker-led Gonojagoron Manhca activists and student organisations joined the human chain.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Chhatra Union and Samajtantrik Chhatra Front yesterday demanded resignation of Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal for his "failure" to stop the killing of bloggers and ensure justice for the victims.

Addressing a press conference at Madhur Canteen, the student leaders also urged all to make today's half day hartal, called by Imran-led Gonojagoron Mancha, successful.

The countrywide six-hour hartal starts at 6:00am.

Last evening, the Gonojagoron Mancha activists brought out a torch procession in support of the shutdown, and paraded different streets of Shahbagh and DU campus.

Dhaka University Teacher's Association will also form a human chain today at 11:00am at the base of Aparajeya Bangla.

The human chain of DU teachers and students was followed by a protest rally under the banner of Shikkhak, Shikkharthi, Lekhok O Nagorik Brindo (students, teachers, writers and citizens).

Addressing the programme, historian Prof Muntassir Mamoon said, "Though the prime minister announced zero tolerance for militancy, some leaders of her party were lenient to militancy."

Protesting the comment of Awami League Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif, he said, "They are not showing good taste by making unwanted statements."

Former vice chancellor of Jahangirnagar University Prof Anwar Hossain urged all youths to prevent these attacks. Samina Lutfa, an associate professor of sociology, said the killing of bloggers would not stop if the government did not want to.

Imran H Sarker said, "The militants are getting inspired because the government has accepted this kind of murders."

Teachers of DU's Bangla department and colleagues of Dipan's father Abul Quasem Fazlul Huq, Convener of Gonosamhati Andolon Zonayed Saki, rights activist Khushi Kabir, Chairman of Department of Mass Communication and Journalism Dr Mofizur Rhaman and Chairman of Department of Communication Disorder Prof Hakim Arif were also present.

On Saturday, unknown assailants hacked Dipan, owner of Jagriti Prokashani, to death and critically injured Shuddhoswar's Ahmedur Rashid Tutul and bloggers Tareque Rahim and Ranadipam Basu.

PROTEST AT RU

About 100 students of Rajshahi University under the banner of Kendrio Sangskritik Jote brought out a procession and formed a human chain on the campus yesterday, alleging that the government was turning a blind eye to the repeated killings of free-thinkers.

UK MINISTER CONDEMNS

UK Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Hugo Swire has expressed deep concern over the attacks on publishers and bloggers in Bangladesh.

“Deeply concerned by another horrific attack on bloggers and publishers in Bangladesh. Protecting universal free speech is vital,” he tweeted yesterday.