Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Branch Chief Harun-or-Rashid on Sunday assured families of the detained quota reform movement coordinators that their loved ones are safe, and there is no need for concern.
Speaking at a press conference at his office, Harun said, “We have taken the coordinators into custody for their own safety. We assure their families that there is no reason to worry. We are ensuring their security and their families should remain reassured.”
Three coordinators were brought to the DB office on Friday, followed by two more on Saturday evening, reports UNB.
Harun further said, “It is our responsibility to apprehend those who have caused destruction, set fire to various establishments, and those Jamaat-Shibir miscreants involved.
“If someone feels unsafe and expresses that they could be harmed at any moment, it is our moral duty to bring them to safety. Questions may arise about why we are focusing on their security.”
He then added, “Remember, it was these individuals who were surrounded by a nefarious group aiming to overthrow the democratic government by infiltrating and inciting violence among innocent students.
“To prevent any harm to the students or the movement, we have taken the coordinators into DB custody for their protection.”
Regarding the duration of their custody, Harun said, “We will discuss this with the coordinators and their families.”
When asked if the coordinators are being interrogated, he replied, “Although they are with us for their safety, we have had various discussions with them. We asked who tried to contact them during their peaceful movement at Dhaka University and who incited them.
“They have provided us with some names and numbers.”
Addressing rumours about mistreatment in DB custody, Harun dismissed such claims, saying, “There are many rumours spreading on Facebook, including false claims about me fleeing the country.
“There is no reason to believe such rumours. Those spreading these rumours aim to gain views and make money. We have not mistreated those in our custody.”
In response to allegations from various quarters that the police are intimidating activists to prevent them from uniting, Harun said, “Do not believe these rumours.
“We have arrested many individuals in the past for the sake of the law, including those involved in the violence on October 28. No one questioned our actions then. Today, we have taken individuals into custody for their safety, and these rumours should not be believed.”
When asked about the request from families and teachers to provide security through family channels, Harun said, “We have not received any such requests.
“We have taken the coordinators into custody purely for their safety and have asked them a few questions about the movement.”
Nusrat, Mahtab in custody
The DB has taken Nusrat Tabassum – one of coordinators of the quota reform movement – and Asif Mahtab – a former teacher at BRAC University – into custody.
“Nusrat, Asif, and five others have been taken into custody,” DB Chief Harun-or-Rashid said at the same press conference.
Nusrat is a postgraduate student of Dhaka University’s Political Science Department. She is a resident of University’s Shamsun Nahar Hall.
She was picked up early from her relative's home in the city’s Rupnagar residential area on Sunday morning by a few people who introduced themselves as DB officials.
On the other hand, Asif Mahtab was picked up from his house in Uttara on Saturday at around 1am.
