Student movement: Families demand release of arrested children

M Humayun Kabir: Citizens yesterday formed a human chain in Dhaka demanding the release of noted photographer Shahidul Alam and students who have been detained in connection to student movements for quota reform and safe roads.
Family members of the detained students and human rights activists formed the human chain in front of Jatiya Press Club at 10:30am under the banner of “Afflicted Families” to press home their demands, reports The Daily Star.
They also demanded justice for the journalists who were attacked during the movement for safe roads.
Noted human rights activist Nur Khan said, “These arrests are creating an environment of fear, from which our nation needs to be freed.” “The way students are dragged into law enforcers’ custody cannot be the sign of a civilised society,” said Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury, founder of the Gonoshasthaya Kendra. Mahmudur Rahman Manna, convener of Nagorik Oikya, said, “As this government has not come to the power through public mandate, they fear any kind of movement.”
Shafiqul Islam, father of Torikul Islam, a detained quota reform activist and student of Dhaka University (DU), requested the authorities to release his son ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.