Police bar Inqilab Mancha march to Secretariat demanding home adviser’s resignation

Police obstructed a protest march by Inqilab Mancha, a student-led platform, towards the Secretariat demanding the resignation of Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury this afternoon (2 February).

The protesters brought out the march at around 3pm, accusing the home adviser of failing to deliver justice for the July-August uprising murders and facilitating the escape of the accused.

Police set up a barricade in front of the Shikkha Bhaban, adjacent to the Secretariat, halting the procession. The protesters then took a stand at that location.

Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi said, "We have come to put red bangles on the failed home and law advisers. Either they will come and take the bangles from us or they will send someone on their behalf, and we will put bangles on them."

He said, "Law Adviser Asif Nazrul posts on Facebook that trials should be held [for the killings during mass uprising]. Who will ensure justice? If the specific outline of the trials related to the July uprising murders is not given by 20 February, we will take to the streets with the families of the martyrs."

Addressing the police, Sharif said, "We have no conflict with the police. We are simply saying that either they take us to the home affairs adviser, or they will have to beat and remove us from here."