Prof Anwar for publication of probe report immediately

Detained Dhaka University (DU) teacher Anwar Hossain yesterday demanded immediate publication of the Justice Habibur Rahman probe report on student protests in the university in August last year.
In a statement to the Chief Magistrate's Court, Anwar said during a hearing that courts had formed a committee with Justice Habibur Rahman to probe the events of August and Justice Habib pleaded with the chief adviser to publish the report.
"It is a matter of regret that the report has not been published as of now," Anwar said.
Justice Habib had taken statements of over 100 people, including the four detained DU teachers, he said, adding that Justice Habib also said at a press conference that the events of August 20 were impulsive, on August 21 the acts were simultaneous and some external forces may have been involved in what happened on August 22.
"We want to know why and at whose direction the report has not been published because the fates of the four detained Dhaka University teachers are tied to it," Anwar said.
"We all know that some militants openly held processions and rallies during the state of emergency. But, no one was arrested. On the other hand, everyone knows about the prejudiced and vindictive measures taken against us," he added.
He said the government and security forces representatives had come to resolve the matter on August 23 and agreed with the teachers that the crisis should end. But, the joint forces came and arrested the teachers that very night and took them to an unknown destination blindfolded.
He said students were angry after being manhandled by the army and scores of students were seriously injured in the attacks of the law enforcement agencies.
"Many teachers, including myself, rushed to the hospital as we felt it was our duty to stand by the students," said Anwar.
"Some teachers were also injured during the attacks, such as Yusuf Haider, which shows the desperation of the attacks by the security forces," he added.
Anwar said the teachers' association tried its best to diffuse the situation by making certain proposals, which were not anti-state, and did not join the students in their protests.
"We only wanted the state of emergency to be lifted," he said.
The DU Biology Faculty dean also said he had apologised on behalf of the students for the violent nature of the protest, but they were not heeded.
Anwar said they have been kept in detention for four months and that poor shopkeepers and university employees were forced to give statements for framing charges against the DU teachers.