A three-member body was formed yesterday to investigate the merciless baton charge on agitating students of Barisal Institute of Health Technology on Wednesday that sparked massive criticism.
The probe body led by a deputy commissioner of the police headquarters was asked to submit report within three days, Barisal Metropolitan Police Commissioner SK Chowdhury told the Dhaka Tribune.
A top police official said: “We will investigate if there was a personal or political link to the incident. Students earlier had staged peaceful movements. The probe committee will look for reasons behind the demonstration and also the police intolerance.”
National Human Rights Commission Chairman Mizanur Rahman expressed deep concern over the police’s “unexpected” behaviour. “This is totally unacceptable. It is brutality especially where a large number of female students were present,” he told the Dhaka Tribune.
At least 20 protesters, mostly females, were injured in the incident during the agitation on that day.
The number of good police is gradually decreasing. “Police beat up people who demonstrate protesting any government policy or step. It should be investigated,” he said suggesting more training for police on human rights.
The Bangladesh Diploma Medical Technology and Pharmacy Students’ Association has been protesting since last month to highlight their 10-point demands.
Sonia Aktar, a protester, said the demands include forming a diploma medical education board, creating posts as per the World Health Organisation guidelines at public healthcare institutes and introducing degree and master’s courses for pharmacists holding diploma degrees to enable them to enjoy first-class status in public service.
Yesterday, the students boycotted classes and held a protest rally at the Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital wearing black badges.
They demanded that the police members responsible for the inhuman action be brought to justice. Students also vowed to continue the movement until the demands were met.
Qumud Ranjan Bala, principal of the institute, said 17 injured students were undergoing treatment at the hospital; eight being in critical condition.
Police detained 14 students on that day but later released them on bond.
The Barisal units of the Bangladesh Women Lawyers’ Association and the Mahila Parishad condemned the police action in separate statements, while the Bangladesh Chhatra Federation’s Barisal unit formed a human chain in front of Ashwini Kumar Hall condemning police action.
But Shoyeb Ahmed, deputy commissioner of the BMP, said there were a few policewomen too to control the protesters on Wednesday.
“Police initially asked the protesters not to block the road but they refused to comply. They hurled bricks at the law enforcers, leaving Sergeant Kamrul Islam and constable Billal Hossain injured. We were forced to resort to baton charge to disperse the crowd,” he claimed.
The other demands include forming new directorates for medical technologists and pharmacists, enabling registration for private practices by those holding diploma degrees in dental and physiotherapy, and compulsory appointment of technologists and pharmacists at all private healthcare facilities that provide organs under specified rules.