Students and Ansar personnel clashed in front of the Secretariat on Sunday night, leaving at least 40 people including Hasnat Abdullah, one of the coordinators of Boishommo Birodhi Chhatra Andolon, injured.
Following the incident, law enforcers arrested more than 400 Ansar personnel, including two women members, from the Secretariat and adjacent areas.
Many raised questions that at a time when the people of Bangladesh are struggling to deal with massive floods, why did Ansar members suddenly triggered unrest in the name of movement.
Netizens are expressing their opinion on this through social media. Many voiced anger over this behavior of Ansar members at a critical moment for the nation, with some seeking abolition of the force.
On the issue, Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defense Force Director General (DG) Major General Abdul Motaleb Sazzad Mahmud said, “The Battalion Ansar has no relation with the protesting Ansar members.
"Many of the agitators are not members of Ansar; They are impostors. They came to the movement wearing Ansar clothes for another purpose.”
Sarjis Alam, a key coordinator of the Boishommo Birodhi Chhatra Andolon, warned, “I want to tell the vultures - if they stay around the secretariat from today, students and citizens will get involved.
“During the 36-day mass uprising, we did not announce any programme like the siege of Secretariat. Because the state is run from here. Those who hypocritically blockaded the Secretariat in the name of movement within a few days of the uprising are agents of the dictator.”
He added, “We are not leaving the streets until the attackers of our brothers are brought to justice. I want to warn the vultures. If you raise your hand against my brothers, you will cease to exist.”
Addressing the students, the coordinator said, “I want to tell you one thing - the vultures have not gone away. Any time you see the vultures emerging from the shadows, they must be resisted.”
Asif Mahmud, sports adviser in the interim government and a coordinator of the Boishommo Birodhi Chhatra Andolon, has warned of dire consequences if any coup is attempted in the coming days, referring to the Secretariat incident as “Ansar Coup.”
He added, “No conspiracy will be enough to defeat the uprising of students. Take into heed the examples of judicial coup, and misguided Ansar coup. If you are not careful, you will face dire consequences.”
Thousands of people are discussing the matter on social media Facebook. A netizen wrote, “A counter-coup attempt was made through them [Ansars]. I demand to identify and arrest these culprits.
“Their [Ansars] backers should be identified and brought under the law.”
Meanwhile, amid the Ansar rebellion, Sajeeb Wazed Joy - son of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina - made a mysterious post on Facebook.
After Sheikh Hasina fled the country, Joy was expressing his anger by releasing videos for several days. At that time, he came under criticism for saying various things through his video.
His interviews, published by foreign media from outside the country, became especially popular. It became apparent that Joy is unable to accept the resignation of his mother Sheikh Hasina in any way.
Recently, Joy faced a backlash for speaking wrong Hindi in an Indian media. Since then he was silent for many days. He was not seen to say anything even when massive floods hit the country.
But last Sunday, Hasina's son returned to Facebook again after the Ansar rebellion.
Joy shared a media report on his Facebook after the clash and chase between the Ansar members and students, writing, “Student agitators attacked peaceful Ansar protesters with sticks.”
As soon as the post was published, Joy was attacked by netizens. A person wrote, “Seeing this post of yours, everyone can understand that you are the main hero.”
Another netizen wrote, “I didn't see you make any posts about the floods, Joy Bhai.”
Meanwhile, on Monday morning, Joy again made a Facebook post, writing, “Our intellectuals criticized the AL government for banning protests around the Secretariat. But within two weeks, this interim administration had to ban all gatherings there.
“It is easy to be irresponsible and critical. Being in power and ruling are different things.”
It should be noted that the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has banned all public gatherings and rallies around the Secretariat and Chief Adviser of the interim government Yunus' residence.
A notification signed by DMP Commissioner Md Mainul Hasan made the disclosure.
