Youths march with sticks

Stick-wielding activists of Gonojagoron Mancha prepare to bring out a procession yesterday from Shahbagh to warn that their non-violent movement demanding death penalty for war criminals and a ban on Jamaat-Shibir would resist if attacked. Photo: Amran Hossain

Gonojagoron Mancha protesters yesterday held a "lathi (stick)" procession, raising sticks high in their hands to convey that the yet non-violent movement would not shy away from resisting any force that dares to attack it.
The protest has been on for more than two months, calling for capital punishment to all war criminals and a ban on Jamaat-Shibir for their role against Bangladesh's independence in 1971.
Thousands of spirited protesters, chanting slogans, marched by Shahbagh, Matsya Bhaban, Press Club and TSC before coming back to Shahbagh, displaying their collective strength in the face of threats and attacks from extremist groups.
“We want peace but if someone attacks us, we will not go hide in a corner,” said Imran H Sarker, spokesperson for Gonojagoron Mancha, at the end of the procession.
The protesters, if necessary, would take up sticks to resist the dark forces, he added.
From the beginning, the movement had been trying to maintain its peaceful nature and to hold dialogues, Imran said, adding that certain groups, however, were showing an aggressive attitude towards them.
Activists of Hefajat-e Islam, a radical Islamist organisation, on April 6 marched towards Gonojagoron Mancha at Shahbagh and attempted to attack the protesters.  Shahbagh protesters then charged towards them with sticks, resulting in a clash inside Ramna Park.
Imran yesterday said Hefajat intended to turn Bangladesh into a Taliban state, which was clear from its 13-point demand, including scrapping of policies related to women and education and the framing of an anti-blasphemy law. But the youth and people of the country would never let it happen, he added.
Dhaka Gonojagoron Mancha protesters will recite letters this evening sent by youths from all over the country.
Meanwhile, Gonojagoron Mancha in Chittagong brought out a stick procession in the city, protesting the attack on a woman journalist by some Hefajat men on April 6.