BNP condemns police attack on protesters against sexual harassment

The BNP has criticised the police assault on a march to the DMP headquarters by protesters against recent sexual assault on women at the Dhaka University.

The party in a statement on Sunday said although democracy guaranteed the right to protest, it became ‘very risky’ to speak out against irregularities.

“We saw the assault and torture by law enforcers on a procession of a progressive student’s organisation which is saddening. We criticise this incident,” the statement said.

It said sexual harassment on women in a free and civilised country was shameful. And yet, it was commonplace in various places including educational institutions in the current government’s term.

A separate statement by the party’s student front also criticised the attack.

It also demanded unconditional release of those detained, an impartial investigation and punishment of those responsible.

Police beat, gassed and water-cannoned the demonstrators led by Bangladesh Chhatra Union from the Dhaka University.

Photos showed the law enforcers mercilessly assaulting the demonstrators with batons and helmets. They kept on hitting the protesters who fell to the ground.

At least 15 students were hospitalised and five were detained.

Witnesses said the demonstrators tried to remove a barricade in front of the DMP office when some of them scuffled with police.

Disturbing images showed several police officers cornering Chhatra Union activist Ismat Jahan and kicking her. They chased after her, pulled her by the hair when she fell down and repeatedly kicked her.                 

Ramna Police OC Mashiur Rahman claimed six of his colleagues were injured when demonstrators hurled stones at them.

Police are under fire for their inaction during the Bengali New Year celebrations on Apr 14 when a group of men sexually assaulted several women at Suhrawardy Udyan’s main entrance.

They are yet to arrest anyone even though CCTV footage clearly identified several assaulters whose actions triggered protest from students and rights groups across Bangladesh.

Many alleged police personnel deployed at that scene did not do anything to stop women being molested.