27 July: Two more key coordinators taken into DB custody

Two more key coordinators, namely Sarjis Alam and Hasnat Abdullah, were taken into custody by the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) on 27 July, Saturday evening.

With this, the DB had taken a total of five coordinators of the student movement demanding quota reform into custody. Earlier, on Friday afternoon, three coordinators — Nahid Islam, Asif Mahmud, and Abu Bakar — were picked up from Gonoshasthaya Nagar Hospital. 

The DB stated that the coordinators had been taken into custody for their personal safety and to gather information regarding recent incidents.

Mohammad Harun Or Rashid, the then chief of DB, told Prothom Alo, "We are interrogating them, however, they are under protection. We have obtained some information. They have been in contact with many people. We are questioning them about who contacted them and who encouraged them."

The detention of the two coordinators took place the very next day after former prime minister Sheikh Hasina shed crocodile tears at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Hasina condemned the recent wave of protest and violence, blaming the BNP-Jamaat coalition and Shibir activists for what she described as a concerted effort to destabilise the country and tarnish its international image. 

However, her repeated emphasis on property damage and the sabotage of state infrastructure, rather than on the human cost of the security response, drew growing criticism. 

A group of 12 teachers from Dhaka University and other institutions, and members of the 'University Teachers' Network' visited the DB office in the evening to inquire about the detained coordinators. They sought a meeting with the then DB chief; however, he refused to meet them.

We are interrogating them, however, they are under protection. We have obtained some information. They have been in contact with many people. We are questioning them about who contacted them and who encouraged them.

Mohammad Harun Or Rashid, the then Chief of DMP's Detective Branch (DB)

Meanwhile, 13 embassies and high commissions in Dhaka, along with the European Union (EU), urged the government to ensure accountability for the excessive use of force by law enforcement agencies during clashes surrounding the quota reform movement. They also expressed deep concern and dismay over the recent loss of lives and destruction of property.

They further stated that, as Bangladesh's international partners, they would continue to encourage the government and all relevant stakeholders to find a sustainable solution to the ongoing crisis and to prevent further loss of lives.

The joint letter, sent to the former foreign minister Hasan Mahmud, was signed by the embassies of the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Canada, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Australia, and the European Union (EU). 

In the meantime, law enforcement agencies continued their nationwide crackdown. The total number of arrests across the country since 17 July reached 9,121.