July protesters still face false cases, says students

Students who participated in the July uprising said that the participants of the movement are still facing false cases.

During the July uprising, students were arrested after being taken from their homes, they said.

The students have raised concerns about why they are still facing false charges and why the real criminals are roaming freely. They questioned why these criminals were not being brought under the law.

The students said these during a discussion titled "I Want to Hear the Stories of Bravery" organised at the Chattogram Press Club today (10 January) with the brave women of Chattogram who participated in the July movement. At the event, the female students recalled their experiences from the movement.

They also voiced their various grievances and directed questions towards the coordinators.

Movement-participating student Fatema Khanam Liza Akter hosted the event, and HSC candidate Mehjabin Akter, Chittagong Independent University students Tania Akter and Fatema Akter Koli, Haji Mohammad Mohsin College students Neela Afroz and Mim Akter, Omar Ghani MES College student Nusrat Jahan, and the guardian of a protesting student Lokman Hossain Bhuiya, among others, shared their memories.

Zobairul Hasan Arif, central organiser and member of the Jatiya Nagorik Committee, was present as a special guest.

Anti-Discrimination Student Movement coordinators in Chattogram Khan Talat Mahmud Rafi, Rizaur Rahman, Mazfuzur Rahman, Shahedullah Islam, Arefin, Nizam Uddin, and Ibn Hossain were also present at the event.

The coordinators respectfully left the stage and came down to the audience to honour the parents. The parents were then seated on the stage.

Female student Fatema Akter Koli said, "The protesters are still carrying false charges on their heads. However, the real criminals are still beyond reach. The law and order situation has not improved yet."

HSC candidate Mehjabin Akter shared her memories of the July protests. She said, "Before the movement even started, we were arrested and taken to the police station. We were detained until late at night."

Haji Mohammad Mohsin College student Neela Afroz said, "We, women, joined the movement for the country's cause without any personal interest. After the movement ended, the women went back home. We are working to increase women's participation. We organised a tea party in December, and now we have this event."

Student Mim Akter, who participated in the movement, said, "The rowdy criminals who threatened us during the protest are still free. They are still walking proudly. Why hasn't there been any justice for them yet?"

BGC Trust University student Muntahin Trina said, "Women participated in the anti-discrimination movement, but since then, their participation has decreased. They are not represented everywhere. There is no representation of them in reforms."

Omar Ghani MES College student Nusrat Jahan, who lost part of her finger due to injuries sustained during the movement, said, "I demand an increase in women's participation. I urge women to step forward. Why should only men's stories be prioritised? Women had no desire for power or money. Even so, they participated for the country."

Lokman Hossain Bhuiya, guardian of the protesting student, said, "My elder daughter went to the movement. My younger daughter is in class seven, and she also went to the protest. We saw on television that students had taken to the streets. Since then, I have encouraged my children as well. We sent the injured students to the medical centre. I would urge the coordinators to check on the well-being of the injured students."