None arrested without specific allegation: Home minister
The home minister also said at least 147 people were killed in the violence surrounding the quota reform movement
No one has been arrested in the country without specific allegations of arson attacks, vandalism and killing of innocent people in the name of the quota reform movement, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said today (28 July).
"Those, who were involved in arson attacks and brutally killed innocent people as well as police, have been arrested after viewing video footage," the minister told reporters at a press briefing at his ministry office.
The home minister also said at least 147 people were killed in the violence surrounding the quota reform movement.
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"The deceased include students, police, Awami League leaders and activists, and people from various professions," the minister told reporters earlier on the day at the Secretariat.
He also said further investigation is underway to ascertain the total death toll.
The process to determine how many people of other professions are among the victims is ongoing, he added.
He said, of course, the government will identify those involved in the recent violence and bring them to book. "We will not spare anyone."
Replying to a question, the home minister said police never open fire as they have to submit a report of the ammunition they used.
"Police or the law enforcement agencies always open fire when they defend themselves from miscreants," he added.
Regarding five coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement – Asif Mahmud, Abu Baker Majumdar and Nahid Islam, Sarjis Alam and Hasnat Abdullah – being taken into DB custody, the home minister clarified they have not been arrested.
"They have been taken into police custody for their safety. These coordinators will be released if the police deem it safe."
These coordinators said they were at risk. One told his father he was hiding for special circumstances, he said, adding, "That is why the police have taken them into custody considering their safety."
The Minister said, "They were being asked which political party or who instigated them. We are asking them about the movement which turned violent later. They are also giving their responses."
