Scuffle, allegations of detention mark protest by RU teachers
The scuffle erupted when some plainclothes men identifying as police tried to detain some students as they started to leave.
Teachers of Rajshahi University carried out a silent procession in the campus today (1 August), protesting the recent violence, murder and arrests during and after the quota reform protests.
The procession ended in a scuffle when police tried to detain two students from the programme, which heightened the already tense situation prevailing there.
Members of the Rajshahi University Teachers' Network started to gather at Shaheed Buddhijibi Chattar premises of the campus around 11:15am as per their pre-announced schedule.
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A few hundred students from various schools and colleges of the city also joined them during this time. Taking the students by their side, the teachers started a silent procession, which ended after parading through various streets of the campus.
A scuffle erupted when some plainclothes men identifying as police tried to detain some students as they started to leave. The teachers tried to snatch away the students from police, and a quarrel began.
Police were then forced to set the students free due to interventions from the university authority and the teachers present there.
Confirming the matter, Associate Professor of RU's Mass Communication and Journalism Department Selim Reza Newton said, "Students from various educational institutions of the city joined us today. We were finishing our programme when police tried to detain some students. A scuffle took place and we tried to save the students. I've heard that two students have been detained by plainclothes men."
The professor then criticised the incident vehemently, adding, "Why won't we have the rights to organise a peaceful programme? I despise the high-handed approach from the law enforcement agency."
When asked about the incident, RU Proctor Dr Asabul Haque said, "Police have to take our permission to detain any university student. But they can do it without our permission if the student is an outsider. We've tried our best to save the students from getting detained. I've heard that police resorted to violence when protesting students tried to throw shoes at them."
Additional Police Commissioner of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police (RMP) Mohammad Hemayetul Islam said, "Police tried to pacify some students when they tried to put their hands on us. We haven't arrested or detained anyone. The situation is currently under control."
