Attack on Hadi: Ducsu issues 48-hour ultimatum, seeks resignation of 3 advisers if demands unmet
Ducsu leaders warned that if their demands are not met within the stipulated time, the advisers for home affairs, law, and foreign affairs must resign.
Leaders of Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Ducsu) have issued a 48-hour ultimatum, placing three key demands in connection with the attack on Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of the Inqilab Manch and a potential independent candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency.
The demands include the arrest of the criminals involved in the shooting of Osman Hadi, a nationwide drive to recover all illegal firearms, and the arrest of all members of banned Chhatra League.
Leaders of Ducsu, currently dominated by the Islami Chhatra Shibir, warned that if their demands are not met within the stipulated time, the advisers for home affairs, law, and foreign affairs must resign.
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The ultimatum was announced this afternoon (15 December) after a meeting between Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury and students, led by Ducsu Vice President Abu Shadik Kayem, at the Secretariat.
Ducsu leaders called for the immediate arrest of all criminals directly involved in the shooting of Osman Hadi, including the attackers, planners, and accomplices. It also demanded that all relevant state organs, including intelligence agencies, be brought under prompt accountability, and that those found negligent be prosecuted.
Ducsu leaders further urged a complete social boycott of what it termed "cultural fascists" who supported or incited the attack, insisting that these measures be made visibly effective without delay.
They also called for the launch of area-based combing operations against the banned student organisation Chhatra League within the next 48 hours. Ducsu leaders demanded the arrest of leaders, activists, and terrorists at all levels of the banned group, along with the recovery of illegal weapons, warning that any further government negligence on this issue would not be tolerated.
In addition, Ducsu leaders called for steps against what it described as Indian hegemony, including bringing former prime minister Sheikh Hasina back to the country to enforce verdicts delivered against her for crimes against humanity.
It also urged a reassessment of diplomatic relations with India in protest against providing shelter to alleged perpetrators of genocide and accused individuals, stating that normal diplomatic relations cannot be restored until the accused are repatriated.
Protest march
Earlier in the day, a protest march, which was attempting to siege the home affairs adviser's office, was temporarily halted. Instead, a delegation of 10 Ducsu leaders proceeded to the home ministry to deliver the ultimatum.
The delegation broke off from the main body of protesters and headed toward the ministry from the High Court intersection at around 1:45pm.
Before entering the ministry, Shadik Kayem said, "More than 72 hours have passed, and the [interim] government has failed to arrest the assailants [of Sharif Osman Hadi]. How much longer do they need to make the arrests?"
Additionally, Kayem confirmed that the delegation is at the ministry to set a specific deadline for the government to meet these demands.
The representatives visiting the ministry included Ducsu Vice-President Abu Shadik Kayem, Assistant General Secretary Mohiuddin Khan, Social Welfare Secretary AB Zubair, International Affairs Secretary Jashimuddin Khan, Career Development Secretary Md Mazharul Islam, Literature and Culture Affairs Secretary Musaddiq Ali Ibne Mohammad, Health and Environment Secretary MM Al Minhaz, and members Tazinur Rahman and Meftahul Hossain Al Maruf.
The student union is currently dominated by Islami Chhatra Shibir, the student wing of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, after it secured a sweeping victory in the Ducsu election on 9 September, winning 23 out of 28 posts in the central committee, including vice-president and general secretary posts.
The protest march had earlier started at the Ducsu building, broke through police barricades at Doel Chattar and the High Court intersection, before the delegation diverted to the ministry.
