DU braces for backlash

All the detained Dhaka University teachers and students must be released in the interest of a congenial academic atmosphere on the campus, senior DU teachers said yesterday.
Former president of Dhaka University Teachers Association (Duta) Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique said it would have been the best if the government withdrew the cases in connection with the August violence on the campus.
“Now that charges have been framed against the detained, it means the government has gone for judicial process concerning them. And now it might take a long time to get them released, resulting in an unhealthy campus situation,” he told this correspondent when contacted.
Acting Duta President Prof Tazmeri SA Islam said they hoped that charges would not be framed against the detained teachers and students. But they are still hopeful that the detainees would be freed within the stipulated period of two weeks.
She also said they are in touch with the government, and continued negotiations on the matter.
Meanwhile, all the four detained teachers are said to have refused to go for mercy petition.
Sanjeeb Hossain, son of detained teacher Prof Anwar Hossain, said he asked his father and the others in court yesterday about mercy petition. But they refused to seek mercy.
HUMAN CHAIN ON DU CAMPUS
A group of DU students under the banner of 'Students against Repression' formed a human chain at Aparajeyo Bangla demanding release of detained teachers and students.
In a press release, they said if all the detainees are not released immediately, they would go for a tougher programme.