A curfew was imposed from 6pm Sunday after rampant violence gripped all corners of Bangladesh amid the non-cooperation movement, organised by Boishommo Birodhi Chhatra Andolon demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her cabinet members.
The students’ platform however rejected the curfew, and rescheduled their “March to Dhaka” programme a day earlier to Monday.
In this context, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Habibur Rahman warned of zero tolerance, saying that firm legal action will be taken against those who violate the curfew.
Asif Mahmud, one of the key coordinators of the movement, earlier stated, “After reviewing the situation, we have made an urgent decision. Our ‘Long March to Dhaka’ programme has been rescheduled from August 6 to August 5.
“In other words, I am calling on students from all over the country to travel to Dhaka on Monday.”
Hasnat Abdullah, another coordinator, wrote on social media, "After the one-point demand, none of their orders are effective. So, the curfew that was announced from 6pm, has been cancelled.”
In a press release issued Sunday, coordinator Nahid Islam had said, “In memory of the martyrs, memorial plaques will be unveiled at places of the victims’ demise across the country on Monday.
“In Dhaka, there will be a workers’ rally at Shahbagh at 11am and a women's rally at Central Shaheed Minar at 5pm. Besides, protests and mass sit-in programmes will be held across the country”
Nahid further said, “Form committees under the leadership of students in all areas, neighbourhoods, villages, upazilas and districts. If the internet is cracked down, we go missing, arrested, or murdered, if there is no one left to announce programmes, everyone should occupy the streets and continue the non-cooperation movement peacefully until the government accepts our one-point demand.”
Asif Mahmud in a statement had also instructed protesters to cooperate with journalists, adding that the media professionals are working to convey the news of movement to the people of the country and the world.
“Assist journalists in carrying out their professional duties, and protect them during conflicts. They are an important part of our fight,” he had said.
