Students seek DSA abolition

Left-leaning students' organizations Monday staged demonstration in front of the secretariat demanding the release of cartoonist Ahmed Kabir Kishore who was held earlier under the Digital Security Act (DSA). The protestors also sought repealing of the DSA.

Earlier, the protesters began their march towards the Ministry of Home Affairs around 12pm on Monday. But police obstructed them from laying a siege to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

With other demands including an investigation into the death of writer Mushtaq Ahmed in jail, release of eight leaders and activists and withdrawal of cases filed against them, over 200 activists took part in the procession that began from Raju Sculpture in front of the TSC of Dhaka University.

Leaders and activists of the student bodies, including the Bangladesh Chhatra Front, Chhatra Federation started their march towards the Home Ministry around 12 pm from Raju Sculpture.

When they reached the secretariat police obstructed them.

A scuffle took place between police and the protesters when they tried to march forward crossing the police barricade.

The demonstrators then took a position there and started sit-in.

They also staged demonstrations on the Dhaka University campus protesting the death of writer Mushtaq Ahmed under police custody on Friday and Saturday.

On Friday evening, at least 35 protesters and police were injured in a clash between police and activists of the left-leaning organisations who gathered in the Dhaka University area to stage protests.

The incident took place when the protesters brought out a torchlight procession in the area

According to sources at Shahbagh police station, four protesters were arrested from the spot, but the protesters claimed that the number is seven.

Police on Saturday filed a case against seven people who were arrested from Shahbagh on Friday for obstructing police in performing their duties.

Sub-inspector of Shahbagh police station Md Mintu Miah filed the case against Md Tamjid Haider, 22, Nazir Amir Chowdhury Joy, 27, ASM Tanjimur Rahman, 22, Md Akib Ahmed, 22, Md Arafat Saad, 24, Nazifa Jannat, 24, and Joyoti Chakrawarty, 23, said officer-in-charge of the police station Md Mamun Ur Rashid.

Probe panel formed

A two-member committee was constituted by the Gazipur district administration to investigate the custodial death of writer Mushtaq.

The committee was asked to submit its report within two days.

Mushtaq’s death in custody

Mushtaq reportedly suffered a heart attack inside his cell at Kashimpur prison on Thursday evening.

"He was rushed to Shaheed Tajuddin Medical College Hospital where he was declared brought dead," Senior Jail Superintendent Md Gias Uddin said.

An unnatural death case has been filed with the Gazipur Metropolitan Police's Sadar Police Station in connection with Mushtaq's custodial death.

The 53-year-old writer, who published the book "Kumir Chaasher Diary" under the pen name Michael Kumir Thakur, was picked up by Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) personnel from his Lalmatia home on May 2, allegedly for posts over the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.

On August 20, he was shifted to Kashimpur prison, Gias Uddin said.

Calls for Mushtaq's release were widespread and sustained throughout his time in prison. Soon after his arrest, more than 300 dignitaries in Bangladesh issued a joint statement demanding his release, including cartoonist Ahmed Kishore.

However, his bail applications were turned down on at least four occasions.