The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement issued a statement regarding a clash between two factions of the platform at its central office in Banglamotor, Dhaka.
The incident occurred on Tuesday around 4:30pm, injuring seven students, including women.
Later in the evening, the organization released a detailed press statement signed by its office secretary.
The statement said: “This afternoon, a group of misguided individuals arrived at the central office of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement in Banglamotor and began chanting inappropriate slogans. At one point, they forcibly closed the office gate, creating panic among the staff."
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, central executive members Rifat Rashid, Ahnaf Saeed Khan, Naeem Abedin, and Asad Bin Rony arrived to mediate and listen to their demands.
However, instead of cooperating, the group attacked the executive members, injuring Naeem Abedin.
Subsequently, other activists arrived at the central office, forcing the agitators to leave.”
The statement further said: “Promoting peace, harmony, and solidarity over violence is the cornerstone of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement. We firmly believe that all organizational issues can be resolved through dialogue. Those who choose violence over discussion will not receive any sympathy from us. The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement is the platform that led the July Uprising, carrying the hopes and expectations of liberation-seeking students and the general public nationwide. We remain committed to our responsibilities and attentive to public sentiment. Additionally, we are determined to build a new political order following the uprising, emphasizing unity and harmony over violence.”
The statement also added: “Some of those responsible for today’s unfortunate incident participated in the uprising, but none are organizationally affiliated with the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement. An internal investigation committee has already been formed, comprising responsible individuals from Dhaka city and central executive members present during the incident. Once the investigation is complete, legal action will be taken against those involved.”
Earlier, in front of the central office, the organization’s convenor, Hasnat Abdullah, said: “I just arrived after hearing the news. I will look into the matter and provide further details later.”
Seven injured individuals received treatment at the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College (DMCH) Hospital.
The injured include: Imran Sarkar, 21, East West University, Jannatul Mim, 22, Tejgaon College, Abrar, 22, Al-Amin, 25, Afsar Uddin, 25, Asif, 24, Kabi Nazrul College, Masud, 24, Demra Madrasah.
One of the injured, Al-Amin, said from DMCH: “During a recent meeting in the Jatrabari zone, one of our comrades was attacked in the presence of the coordinators. Today, when we came to the central office to discuss the matter, we were attacked again, leaving several of our comrades seriously injured.”