Widespread protests go on

Cultural, socio-political and professional organisations across the country continue denouncing and protesting the recent attacks on minorities at different places including in Brahmanbaria's Nasirnagar upazila.

Holding different protest programmes, they yesterday demanded exemplary punishment for those involved in the heinous attacks and security for the minorities.

When addressing a human chain formed by Samprodayikatabirodhi Sangbadik Mancha, a platform of journalists against communalism, in front of the capital's Jatiya Press Club, veteran left-leaning politician Pankaj Bhattacharya said the local administration, lawmaker and leaders of ruling Awami League cannot avoid responsibilities for the mayhem.

Criticising the role of local lawmaker and Fisheries and Livestock Minister Muhammed Sayedul Hoque, former president of Dhaka Reporters Unity Shahed Chowdhury urged the prime minister to dismiss him.

Former general secretary of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) Abdul Jalil Bhuyian and Dhaka Reporters Unity General Secretary Razu Ahmed also addressed the human chain that raised a demand for a judicial investigation into the incidents.

People under the banner of Amra Brahmanbariabashi (we are inhabitants of Brahmanbaria) formed another human chain in front of the National Museum.

Sammilita Sangskritik Jote General Secretary Hasan Arif, when addressing it, stressed the need for strengthening cultural movement against fundamentalism and communalism.

Terming the attacks "medieval barbarism", Poet Asad Chowdhury said the government will have to ensure speedy trail and the people come forward to resist such "planned" violence against the minorities.

Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation Assistant General Secretary Chandan Reza, Jatiya Kobita Parishad President Prof Muhammad Samad, Acting Editor of the daily Sangbad   Khandaker Muniruzzaman and Poet Ashim Saha also spoke.

Shafiul Alam Bhuiyan, chairman of the film and television studies department at Dhaka University (DU), told a human chain that only the laxw enforcement agencies will not be able to prevent such crimes, but rather a change in the people's psyche is needed to curb these.

Dhaka University Teachers' Association formed the human chain at the base of Aparajeyo Bangla on the campus.

Rajshahi University and Jagannath University, too, formed two human chains on the respective campuses, while commoners formed another human chain and brought out a procession in New Market area of Chittagong city, protesting the attacks.

In Barisal, Communist Party of Bangladesh and Bangladesh Sajtantrik Dal were seen holding a similar protest programme for the same reason.