TDS Desk:

Police on Sunday foiled an attempt by Inquilab Mancha, a cultural platform, to lay siege to the Ministry of Home Affairs in protest against granting “safe exits” to those involved in July uprising killings with state forces’ support and to demand the resignation of the home adviser for his “failure.”

Inquilab Mancha started a procession towards the Ministry of Home Affairs at the base of the Raju Memorial Sculpture at Dhaka University in the afternoon and was stopped at the High Court Mazar Gate.

Earlier, at around 2:30pm, the protesters held a brief rally at the base of the sculpture, where they presented their four-point demand.

Inquilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Usman Hadi said: “The law adviser is making statements about ensuring justice. But who will deliver this justice? When you were not an adviser, you made many promises. What have you actually done in the last six months?”

He further said: “All Awami League and Chhatra League criminals across Bangladesh must be arrested immediately. We see BCS officers distributing Awami League leaflets. What exactly are you doing?”

The spokesperson of Inquilab Mancha also said: “We will no longer stand against the army or navy. Now is the time to stand against the so-called civil government. How do Awami League terrorists attend navy events in Chittagong?”

INQUILAB MANCHA’S FOUR-POINT DEMAND:

1. The home adviser must resign for failing to ensure justice for the July massacre, and the government must publish a complete outline of the trial process by February 20.
2. A government notification must be issued prohibiting the participation of Awami League allies in all public events.
3. Officials in Chittagong who helped Awami League members escape and attacked protesting students and citizens must be brought to justice immediately.
4. Bureaucrats and military officials who are aiding in the rehabilitation of the Awami League, accused of mass killings, must be identified and tried without delay.