Primary school students forced to rally for release of drug suspect Juba League leader

Students of a government primary school have been forced to join a protest against the arrest of a Juba League leader on drug trade charges in Laxmipur.

The Juba League leader, Sheikh Harun, is a member of the Laxmipur district unit committee of the ruling Awami League’s youth front.

He is also president of the governing body of Baraitala Government Primary School at Sadar Upazila.

His wife Shirin Akter forced the students into a human-chain demonstration holding placards demanding Harun’s release on Wednesday, the teachers have alleged.

Headmaster Babul Chandra Debnath, also a member of its governing body, told bdnews24.com on Thursday that he was away for training and forbade the others to hold the programme when he was informed.

Posters demanding Harun’s release were also stuck on the school’s walls.

The names of the teachers, guardians and members of the governing body were used on the posters despite their reservations, Babul alleged.

Harun sent the teachers notes from jail, asking them to get the students to protest, Assistant Teacher Arifur Rahman said. 

His wife organised the programme after the teachers had refused to oblige, he said.

Arifur said he and two others teachers of the school were at the institution during the demonstration.

The authorities would investigate the ‘unfortunate’ incident and take steps against those involved in it, Upazila Primary Education Officer Moniruzzaman Molla told bdnews24.com.

The Detective Branch of police arrested Harun at his home at Lawyers’ Colony in the town on May 22.

Shirin claimed her husband was ‘victim of a conspiracy’.   

Harun’s name is on a home ministry list of drug dealers and he has a case on drug-trading charges against him, according to DB Sub-Inspector ‘Ehtesham’.