Pro-liberation youths’ platform Gonojagoron Moncho yesterday announced half-day countrywide shutdown for tomorrow demanding immediate arrest of the killers of secular publisher Faisal Arefin Dipan.
The organisation also declared mourning for today and will hold a candle-light procession in protest against the series of killings, Moncho Spokesperson Imran H Sarker said from a rally held at Shahbagh in the afternoon.
Several other organisations and rights bodies also held demonstrations at Shahbagh yesterday and issued separate statements.
Condemning the government, Imran said: “We elected them to eradicate militancy from the country but instead of fighting militancy, they are patronising the militant forces.”
Eminent economist Prof Abul Barakat expressed disappointment for not ensuring punishment for the killers of previous incidents. “At least 400 militants were detained over the last five years but none of them could be brought to justice while some of them even got bail.”
Communist Party of Bangladesh leader Ruhin Hossain Prince said that the law enforcers were prompt in arresting someone for humiliating the prime minister or government officials, “but they cannot even trace the militants who issue death threats in social media openly.”
Khalequazzaman, secretary general of Bangladesh Socialist party, blamed the government’s irresponsible manner for the killing of secular activists.
Among others, rights activists Khushi Kabir, Bangladesh Chhatra Union President Lucky Akther, cultural personalities and journalists attended the rally.
In a separate protest programme on Dhaka University campus, over 200 people under the banner of teachers, students, writers and citizens gathered at Raju Sculpture and held a protest rally.
Columnist Syed Abul Maksud blamed the culture of impunity for the repeated incidents of murders.
Earlier, book shop owners and businessmen of Aziz Super Market decided to keep their shops closed until tomorrow protesting the murder of Dipan. They held a protest rally in front of the market.
Bangladesh Book Publishers and Sellers Association declared to keep closed all book shops across the country until 2pm today.
They would also hoist black flags at the head office of the organisation for three days from today. Besides this, the members will wear black badges, hold silent processions and submit a memorandum to the authorities concerned demanding quick trial of the killers. They would also hold a sit-in programme in front of the National Press Club today.
