Not a Single Blow Should Fall on Students: Umama Fatema

ছবিঃ সংগৃহীত

News Desk: Police fired tear gas and sound grenades at Jagannath University teachers and students who were staging a long march toward the Chief Advisor’s residence, demanding three things. Umama Fatema, spokesperson for the anti-discrimination student movement, strongly protested the police action. Warning the interim government, she wrote in a Facebook post, Not a single hair on the students of Jagannath University should be harmed.

Around midnight on Wednesday, she made these remarks in a post on her verified Facebook account.

Umama wrote in her post, “Be careful, interim government! The students are now gathering at Kakrail Mor, before Jamuna. The police had already turned off the streetlights on the road towards Ramna once. When the students shouted, the lights were turned back on. By that time, the police were fully armed and positioned at various corners. There are many police vehicles on Kakrail Road. The students have reported that the police are putting on bulletproof vests and preparing themselves.”

Expressing concern about the students' safety, Umama wrote, “Several eyewitness students have reported seeing the police loading bullets into their guns. The students are frightened. Five teachers went to speak at Hair Road, and they are now coming out. I am extremely worried about the safety of both students and teachers.”

Warning the government, Umama added, “Not a single hair on the heads of Jagannath University students should be harmed. I strongly condemn the act of throwing a bottle at Brother Mahfuz Alam. Those involved in this act must be identified and brought to justice.”

Urging acceptance of the demands of the students of Jagannath University, Umama writes, "The movement at Jagannath University is entirely justified. I would like to request that, as leaders in power, you accept the students' demands. While you are in government, not even a touch should fall upon the students of Jagannath."