Members of the families of the July 2016 attack victims, along with the injured, ended their road blockade in front of the Secretariat on Tuesday afternoon, after issuing an ultimatum to the government.
The protestors vacated the road around 3:15 pm, after blocking it earlier at 12:30 pm near Gate 2 of the Secretariat. They demanded the resignation of the Interim Government’s law adviser, Professor Asif Nazrul.
While leaving, the demonstrators said the law adviser must explain by next Sunday to the Chief Adviser why the accused in the July killings are being granted bail. They added that this explanation must be made public before the nation. During today’s protest, the demonstrators faced police action, which they said must be addressed by the Home Affairs Adviser.
Announcing future plans, Shaheed Tayim’s brother, Robiul Awal, said the law adviser had invited them for talks, which they refused. He warned that if no satisfactory explanation regarding the bail of the accused and the police crackdown is provided by next Sunday, the families and victims would resume their protests. He added that they would demand the resignation of both the law adviser and the Home Affairs Adviser, with participants from across the country gathering at Gate 2 of the Secretariat.
Earlier in the morning, around 11:30 am, the victims’ families and injured individuals held a demonstration in front of the National Press Club and then marched to the Secretariat, causing traffic disruption. During the sit-in, demonstrators raised slogans including: “Resign, resign, we demand resignation, Asif Nazrul must resign”, “One demand, one law: Asif Nazrul resign”, “The killers roam free, what is the judiciary doing?”, “My brother is in the grave, why is the killer free?”, “My brother’s blood will not go in vain”.
The demonstrators alleged that the accused in the July killings are being granted bail in exchange for money and reiterated their demand for Asif Nazrul’s immediate resignation, as well as the removal of the presiding judges.
According to the families, when they tried to march towards the Secretariat earlier, police obstructed them, leading to scuffles. Shafaat Siddiqui, mother of victim Ahnaf, claimed that the police verbally abused and physically assaulted the demonstrators.
Responding to the allegations, DC Masud Alam of Ramna police said, “If these allegations are true, appropriate action will be taken following a proper investigation.”
