‘Gallows’ ready at Shahbagh

Demonstrations for the execution of killers and collaborators of 1971 rolled into the sixth day at Dhaka's Shahbagh, with the thousands assembled there as enthusiastic as ever.

A ‘gallows’ has been constructed at the roundabout and more and more people are pouring in to witness mock executions, said bdnews24.com correspondents from Shahbagh.

On Sunday, the first day of the week, many school students were seen at Shahbagh in their school uniforms. College-goers were also massing up in large numbers.

The road leading from Ruposhi Bangla hotel to Matsha Bhaban was opened after five days since Tuesday. Traffic had so far remained blocked on roads leading to Shahbagh from Kataban, Matsha Bhaban and from inside the Dhaka University.

Vehicles can now reach Matsha Bhaban and the Press Club from Farmgate through Shahbagh.

The section was opened for public convenience after consultation with the protestors, said Ramna Police zone Deputy Commissioner Nurul Islam Khan. “Road will again be closed if the crowds swell at Shahbagh.”

However, those willing to travel from Matsha Bhaban to Farmgate will have to use the Minto Road.

The 15 by 8 feet symbolic gallows has been erected at the Shahbagh intersection near Pubali Bank. Organisers said lookalikes of the war criminals would be hung there at noon.

On Tuesday, International Crimes Tribunal-2 pronounced life imprisonment for Jamaat-e-Islami Abdul Quader Molla, but the nation was clearly expecting a death penalty like in the case of Abul Kalam Azad alias Bachchu Razakar.

Protestors started to gather at Shahbagh on Tuesday evening saying the punishment was ‘too little’. They began demanding death penalty for Quader Molla. Six days later, the protestors at Shahbagh are now demanding execution of all war criminals.

The enthusiasm appears undying and infectious as more and more people from all walks of life, specially young men and women, are turning up to join the protests.

The Shahbagh intersection has got a new name -- Projonmo Chattar -- to honour the spirit of the new generation who did not experience the 1971 Liberation War but share the zeal, the zest and the spirit that made Bangladesh a reality from a dream.

A ‘Charampatra’ (ultimatum) was read out Friday afternoon at the 'Projonmo Chattar' that summed up the spirit of movement seeking death penalty for those who perpetrated atrocities joining the Pakistan’s effort to crush the Bengali nationalist movement.

On Saturday, people from various parts of Dhaka started to converge in Shahbagh. The 'Projonmo Chattar' was flooded with people by noon.

People were seen carrying Bangla and English placards blaming the global media for 'spreading confusion’.

Many had gathered with families. Several of them even stayed overnight at Friday.