The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement is holding a protest rally, alleging that the attack was carried out by associates of the former minister, former mayor, and ruling party affiliates.
The protest began at 1:30pm on Saturday at Rajbari Field in Gazipur, where activists from various parts of the district marched in groups before gathering at the venue.
The demonstration follows a late-night attack on several students at the residence of former Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque in Gazipur on Friday. The student movement announced the rally via their Facebook page early Saturday morning.
At the protest, activists strongly demanded the cancellation of the Awami League's registration and warned that the ruling party would be eradicated from Gazipur. They also called for the confiscation of Awami League leaders' properties and their redistribution among the families of martyrs and the injured from the July uprising. Additionally, they demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible for Friday night’s attack.
Arif Sohel, central secretary of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, stated: "Our brothers are still being attacked. We won in the battlefields of July’s movement, and we will rise again. The Awami fascist group is attacking homes, businesses, and religious institutions while trying to blame us. Everyone must stay vigilant and resist these attacks collectively. We must systematically free Gazipur’s land from fascism."
Ali Rasel Khan, a central organizer of the movement, called for the swift arrest of those responsible for the violence against students and urged the cancellation of the ruling party’s registration. He also demanded the removal of officials who failed to maintain law and order.
Haider Ali, training secretary of the Gazipur Metropolitan Student Shibir, linked the current situation to the political violence of October 28, 2006. "We thought the July revolution had ended this fascism, but its remnants are resurfacing. From this rally, we call on the interim government to bring these collaborators to justice," he said.
He further warned: "If justice is not served, we will shut down all institutions in Gazipur, block roads, waterways, and industries. We will ensure Gazipur is free from fascist collaborators before we return home. Just as Dhanmondi has seen unrest, the same will happen to the homes of all Awami League MPs and ministers.
We have already shed blood, and we are prepared to shed more. With our lives and blood, we will uproot all Awami League collaborators from our beloved Bangladesh."
