Jatiya Chhatra Shakti stages torch procession demanding maximum punishment for Hasina

Jatiya Chhatra Shakti, an organization formed with the coordinators of 2024 July movement, organised a torch procession today (16 November) demanding the maximum punishment for Sheikh Hasina, whom they accused of genocide and crimes against humanity.

The procession began at 7:30pm from Shahbagh intersection and marched through several streets before concluding at the Raju Memorial Sculpture.

Speaking at the event, Jatiya Chhatra Shakti President Zahid Ahsan said, "We stand here to demand justice for the 2009 BDR massacre, the events of 5 May 2013, the killings following the Shahbagh movement, the disappearance and murder of BNP, JCD, and Jubo Dal activists, and all incidents of enforced disappearances and killings of Jamaat–Shibir members."

"We do not want to interfere with the independence of the judiciary, but we seek impartial justice for all the killings that left countless mothers grieving over the past 16 years," he added.

He further said, "The Awami League has caused thousands of deaths while in power and has damaged the spirit of the Liberation War; therefore, they have no right to return to politics. The interim government has granted bail to several Awami League leaders—particularly Saber Hossain Chowdhury's bail—and this is questionable."

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) is set to deliver its verdict tomorrow (17 November), in a crimes against humanity case against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and former inspector general of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun.

Hasina and Asaduzzaman are absconding, while former IGP Mamun has given a deposition as a state witness in the case.

Prosecutors have sought the death penalty for Hasina and Asaduzzaman. State-appointed lawyers representing the two have pleaded for acquittal, arguing that the accused are innocent. Lawyers for Mamun, who became a state witness, have also sought his acquittal.