The platform “Bangladesh against rape and oppression” has demanded the withdrawal of cases against movement organizers, the removal of police officer AC Mamun, and the resignation of the home affairs adviser after a police SI lodged a case against the organisers of the platform over a clash at the intersection in front of Hotel Intercontinental on Tuesday.
At a press conference held at the Central Shaheed Minar at 12pm, the platform claimed that the cases were false and unjust.
They alleged that AC Mamun physically assaulted protesters, including female activists. They also demanded an investigation into police actions and punishment for those responsible.
Skya Islam read out the written statement on behalf of the platform.
It stated: "We demand the withdrawal of false and unjust cases against movement organizers, the removal of police officer AC Mamun for physically assaulting protesters, including female activists, and the exemplary punishment of other police personnel involved in the attack through a proper investigation."
They also called for the resignation of the home affairs adviser, justice for victims of rape and oppression, and measures to stop "organized and provocative misinformation campaigns."
"We were shocked to see that the police filed a false case with Ramna Model Police Station against the protesters, 12 students, including an injured journalist, and 70 to 80 unknown persons. It is even more surprising when we see that cases have been filed against some people who were not even present at the program."
The statement further said: "The police have filed this case on a mass scale by abusing their power. We have seen such a despicable way of suppressing the movement through cases during the previous Awami fascist Hasina government. Even during the July coup, we saw how the government filed such false cases in the name of the agitating students and people and carried out mass arrests. After the fleeing of Hasina to India on August 5, the new Bangladesh that the people expected — one free of brutal police attacks on a democratic and fair movement against rape — has been shattered. Filing false cases has created great anger in the minds of the struggling students of Bangladesh. No democratic person expects such a police state after the coup."
Regarding the home affairs adviser, the statement said: "It is not possible to improve the law and order situation in the fastest possible time under the current home adviser. As a result, we demand his removal as a prerequisite for ensuring citizen safety."
The platform expressed hope that "we will see the government walking on the path of permanent reforms with the removal of Jahangir Alam. Otherwise, the people will have to continue the struggle for their liberation."
The statement also described the events of March 11, when the police allegedly attacked a peaceful protest march that aimed to submit a nine-point memorandum to the chief adviser.
"We were surprised to see that on March 11, police first attacked a peaceful program of marching and submitting a memorandum to the chief adviser at the initiative of the 'Bangladesh against rape and oppression' platform with a nine-point demand."
The statement alleged that AC Abdullah Al Mamun of DMP’s Ramna division, who was in plainclothes, "suddenly attacked from behind."
It further claimed: "In this attack, the police used excessive force, harassed women, and injured journalists, which bears the mark of the police state of the Awami League period."
At least 15 people were injured in the attack, including Sumaiya Akhter, Meghmallar Basu, Ahmed Araf, Tasmia Nebula, Sajedul Islam, and Aung Aung, according to the platform.
The statement also condemned the absence of female police officers at the scene, saying: "To stop a procession against rape and women’s repression, the DMP did not keep any female police at first. Male police attacked female students in a very brutal manner."
