Jamaat-Shibir violence condemned

The Shahbagh demonstrators return to the streets yesterday protesting Friday's countrywide violence perpetrated by Jamaat-e-Islami and its sympathisers and calling to defy today's hartal, called by eight Islamist parties and supported by Jamaat and BNP.Photo: STAR

Different socio-political organisations and anti-war criminal campaigners around the country yesterday condemned Jamaat-Shibir and other Islamist parties' attack on Shaheed Minar and Gonojagoron Mancha and tearing and burning of the national flag in different districts Friday.
They demanded a ban on Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatra Shibir, who spearheaded the fanatic attacks, leaving at least four persons dead and the people panicked. In separate press releases, the organisations also expressed concern and anger at the aggression.
Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) said the attacks, made also on police and journalists, were a reminder of the militant activities of the Liberation War in 1971.
Every citizen has the right to express opinion and hold assemblies, but attacks using religion will create panic in society, the rights body said in a statement.
Bangladesh Mahila Parishad said the attacks could not be tolerated when youths came together to ensure the highest punishment for war criminals.
Communist Party of Bangladesh and Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal from separate rallies in front of Jatiya Press Club announced to resist Jamaat-Shibir and cautioned everyone not to be deceived by their propaganda.
Gonotontri Party called on the people to prevent Jamaat-Shibir from striking again in the name of religion.
Bangladesh Tariqat Federation, Bangladesh Khetmojur Samiti, Bangladesh Trade Union, Bangladesh Chhatra Jubo Oikya Parishad, and Bangladesh Jubo Moitry also condemned the attacks. Jatiya Mukti Council, Nayagonotantrik Gono Morcha, Jatiya Gonofront, and some other organisations urged the people to stand against religious fundamentalist groups.
Several hundred teachers and students and Chhatra League brought out separate processions on Rajshahi University campus, condemning Friday's vandalism, reports our RU correspondent.
Terming Jamaat-Shibir as “terrorist organisations”, the protesters demanded their ban. The anti-war criminal activists also returned to the Gonomancha on the campus to continue their demand for death penalty for all war criminals.
The Gonojagoron Mancha in Chittagong city got abuzz with thousands of demonstrators again, reports our staff correspondent from Chittagong. They condemned the Jamaat-Shibir's countrywide violence.
Students of Jahangirnagar University brought out a procession on the campus, demanding a ban on Jamaat-Shibir, reports our JU correspondent.
They also vowed to continue their movement until the war criminals are given death penalty and Jamaat-Shibir are banned through a law.
Friday's fanatic attacks were also condemned at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (Sust), reports our Sust correspondent.
Several hundred students staged a rally on the campus to condemn the attacks and demand punishment for those journalists who were working against the Projonmo Chattar and Liberation War sculpture at Sust and spying for Jamaat-Shibir.