Adivasi graffiti: 2 alleged attackers from Students for Sovereignty used bandages to fake injuries
The detainees have been identified as Arif Al Khabir and Md Abbas
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police today (16 January) arrested two individuals for their alleged involvement in yesterday's attack on ethnic minority students protesting against the removal of a graffiti from textbooks in front of the NCTB building.
The detainees belong to the Students for Sovereignty, which has come under severe criticism for allegedly launching the attack on the minority students.
The detainees have been identified as Arif Al Khabir and Md Abbas, Motijheel Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mesbah Uddin told The Business Standard.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
They, yesterday, claimed to have been injured in the violence as well and posted photos with bandages on their heads.
However, following their arrests, police have found that the duo faked their injuries.
"They claimed they were injured during the clashes but we found something different. The arrestees were not injured. We are investigating the matter thoroughly," said OC Mesbah.
Meanwhile, Hussain Muhammad Farabi, assistant commissioner of DMP's Motijheel zone told TBS that they found the arrested duo put bandages and viodin, an ointment, on their head to appear like they were injured.
At least nine people were injured in violence in front of the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) building yesterday where minority students under the banner of Aggrieved Indigenous Students gathered to protest the removal of the graffiti from textbook.
The Students for Sovereignty later also announced a programme there with five demands, including punishment for those responsible for adding the word "Adivasi" (indigenous) and an image of a graffiti which, they said, stood for a united India and undermined the July mass uprising in textbooks.
One of the protesting minority students from Dhaka University, Soisanu Marma, yesterday, told TBS, "People from the group 'Students for Sovereignty' attacked us, and police did not take action. At least 20 people, including journalists, were injured, with seven or eight seriously hurt."
Later in the day, the National Citizens' Committee yesterday issued a statement criticising the Students for Sovereignty for its "clear role" in the violence.
In a press statement, signed by spokesperson Samanta Sharmin, the Citizens' Committee expressed deep concern over the violent attacks.
Citing media reports, the platform said, "At least 12 people, including at least one woman and a journalist, were injured in the violence. It is particularly noteworthy that Rupaiya
Shrestha Tanchangya, a member of the Executive Committee of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, was seriously injured."
