Protesters disrupt 'Mancha 71' meeting, ex-minister Latif Siddique taken to DB
A group of youths, identifying themselves as “July fighters,” handed them over to police around 12pm as they were allegedly trying to create chaos at the event at Shafiqul Kabir Auditorium of Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU), witnesses said.
Police detained former minister Latif Siddique and several others after tensions erupted during an event organised by "Mancha 71," a platform of freedom fighters, in the capital today (28 August).
A group of youths, identifying themselves as "July fighters," handed them over to police around 12pm as they were allegedly trying to create chaos at the event at Shafiqul Kabir Auditorium of Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU), witnesses said.
The platform organised a roundtable titled "Our Great Liberation War and the Constitution of Bangladesh" around 11am. Freedom fighters, lawyers, writers, journalists, teachers and former bureaucrats attended the event.
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At one point, the demonstrators stormed the hall, surrounded the speakers, and forced the event to come to an abrupt halt.
Television footage showed Latif sitting quietly on a chair while angry people surrounded him, shouting slogans.
Police later intervened and escorted them out safely.
Shahbagh Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Khalid Monsur told TBS, "'Mancha 71' had a programme scheduled at DRU. Dr Kamal Hossain and ZI Khan Panna were supposed to attend, but neither of them did. Upon hearing that Latif Siddique was present at the programme, leaders and activists from several groups, including 'July Mancha,' entered the DRU premises and began chanting various slogans."
To bring the situation under control, he said, police escorted Latif from there and turned him over to the Detective Branch.
"He is being questioned about the sudden program – why it was held and whether there was anything behind it. However, no decision has been made yet about his arrest."
Lawyer ZI Khan Panna, one of the organisers, said, "If events can't be held even at a place like Dhaka Reporters Unity then where does the freedom of expression in this country exist? Everyone knows these incidents take place at the behest of those in power."
