Prof Anwar for release, treatment of all detained teachers, students

The detained general secretary of Dhaka University Teachers' Association (Duta), Prof Anwar Hossain, demanded the release and medical treatment of all locked-up teachers and students of public universities before the country's premier university reopens on October 28.
Dr Anwar, also the university's dean of biological sciences faculty, passed on the message through his family members who went to visit him at Dhaka Central Jail on the Eid day.
He and three of his colleagues were arrested on charges of fuelling violent student protests on the campus between August 20 and 22. Eight Rajshahi University teachers and eight DU students were also arrested in this connection.
Ayesha Akhter, Dr Anwar's wife, in a statement to the media, detailed her husband's appeal.
Merely releasing four detained teachers will not heal the wounded dignity of Dhaka University, rather the release of incarcerated teachers and students of all public universities and normal academic activities at the university are necessary.
Dr Anwar also said students and people also have a sense of dignity like that of the army and care should be taken that this does not get hurt further.
The statement regretted that some part of his statement was not broadcast in full for which confusion spread among the public.
It said Dr Anwar still believes that his spontaneous urge touched the army members and that they will no longer nourish anger at teachers and students, adding that he spoke for lifting the state of emergency soon and urged the government to declare the schedule for the general elections.
The statement said even after his apology and promise of the chief adviser in his address to the nation that nobody will be arrested other than 36 people, students were arrested.
Ayesha said her family members are anxious after seeing the condition of Dr Anwar who has been suffering from hearing problem due to fungus infection.