The supporters of Ganajagaran Mancha, on Sunday, took out a stick procession from Shahbagh Square to voice their opposition to the 13-point charter of demands placed by the Hefazat-e-Islam (HIB). Led by Mancha convener Dr Imran H Sarkar, hundreds of people paraded the TSC area and the Arts faculty of Dhaka University. They raised slogans against “obscurantist policies and ideas preached by the HIB in its 13-point charter of demands”. They also demanded execution of all war criminals and early completion of their trial.
Besides the procession, a session of patriotic songs was held at the Ganajagaran Mancha, which continued till late in the evening. A large posse of policemen, backed by members of Rapid Action Battalion, guarded the Mancha and the marchers.
Pro-Left student organisations and activists from the Communist Party of Bangladesh were, however, not seen in the procession. Talking to the Independent, Dr Imran H Sarkar said they are united in their opposition to the 13-point demands of HIB. He, however, said that they are holding their marches separately. The procession encircled TSC, Nilkhet, Ruposhi Bangla and Shahbagh.
A cultural programme on the theme of “protesting against evil forces” began soon and was scheduled to continue for the rest of the day. During the procession, the Mancha activists raised anti-Jamaat and anti-Hefazat slogans.
Tension ran high as words came out that Hefazat activists, who are expected to hold a rally at Motijheel, were advancing towards Shahbagh, where the Mancha activists had been demonstrating for three months now.
-With The Independent input
