Chaos at ‘Manch 71 : Ex-minister Latif Siddiqui among 13 detained

Online Desk  :  Police detained former minister Latif Siddiqui along with around 13 others after widespread tension grew around an event organized by a new platform called ‘Manch 71’. The incident took place on Thursday afternoon at the Shafiqul Kabir Auditorium of the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU). Among those detained, several are reportedly associated with (suspended) activities of the Awami League. However, several freedom fighters present at the event told Bangladesh Pratidin that they had been informed it would be a program for freedom fighters. Earlier in the day, a roundtable discussion was organized by ‘Manch 71’. Dr. Kamal Hossain, former...

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Online Desk  :  Police detained former minister Latif Siddiqui along with around 13 others after widespread tension grew around an event organized by a new platform called ‘Manch 71’. The incident took place on Thursday afternoon at the Shafiqul Kabir Auditorium of the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU). Among those detained, several are reportedly associated with (suspended) activities of the Awami League. However, several freedom fighters present at the event told Bangladesh Pratidin that they had been informed it would be a program for freedom fighters.

Earlier in the day, a roundtable discussion was organized by ‘Manch 71’. Dr. Kamal Hossain, former president of Gono Forum, was scheduled to be the chief guest, but he did not attend. The platform is coordinated by Professor Abdullah Al Mahmud (Bir Protik) and senior Supreme Court lawyer ZI Khan Panna. Shortly after the event began, around 15–20 people identifying themselves as “July Warriors” entered the venue and began chanting slogans. They shouted slogans such as “Let the weapon of ‘24 roar once more,” “Slap shoes on every Awami League face,” and “Abu Sayeed-Mugdha, the war is not over yet.”

At one point, they tore down banners and held attendees inside. Many, frightened, tried to exit through the back door of the hall. Police later arrived, brought the situation under control, and took Latif Siddique and 13 others away in a van. Additional Deputy Police Commissioner (ADC) of DMP, Hafiz Al Asad, who was present at the scene, told reporters that a total of 13 people were detained. They were being taken to Shahbagh Police Station. Freedom fighter Bulbul Ahmed, who was present at the event, told Bangladesh Pratidin, “We came to attend a program. I am not an accused in any case. I fought for Bangladesh, yet today in a free Bangladesh, I became a victim of mob violence. My throat was grabbed, and my panjabi was torn.” Another freedom fighter, Golam Mostafa, said, “I risked my life in the Liberation War. Today, in an independent country, we are being harassed.”

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