Prominent rights activists, journalists and academics yesterday called upon the government to take strict measures against perpetrators of the ongoing atrocities in Satkhira.
Speaking at a views exchange programme in the city, they also demanded that Jamaat-e-Islami be banned and observed that Jamaat believed in violence, was anti-liberation and still did not believe in this country’s existence.
Bangladesh Rukhe Darao, a platform of pro-liberation and progressive forces, organised the programme after visiting the affected areas of Satkhira.
Rights activist Sultana Kamal said, “Jamaat is doing the same sort of atrocities they did back in 1971. They had attacked pro-liberation and pro-Awami League people in 1971, and now they are attacking the root level activists of Awami League and the Hindu people.”
“Out of our obligation, we need to demand that the government ban such a violent party from our political arena,” Kamal said, stressing that the victims were also in need of legal remedies.
Journalist Abed Khan said while visiting the area they had come to know that attacks on the minorities had been going on since the last week of February.
He also observed that the level of atrocities were much higher than what the media had portrayed.
“Although root level members of Awami League are suffering, the central leadership so far has not provided them any sort of help. The government needs to take strict measures immediately,” Abed Khan said.
Sadeka Halim, Sanjida Akhter and trustee of Liberation War Museum Sarwar Ali was present at the programme.