Shahbagh reverts to 24-hour vigil

A nonsop sit-in has again begun at the Shahbagh’s Prajanma Chattar before the verdict on Jamaat-e-Islami leader Mohammad Kamaruzzaman over his alleged involvement in crimes against humanity during the Liberation War.

The site of the youth upsiring demanding maximum punishment for the convicted war criminals reignited the familiar feel on Wednesday as soon as the second war crimes tribunal said the verdict will be delivered on Thursday.
The demonstration at Shahgagh kicked off nearly three months ago when a war crimes tribunal handed down Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Abdul Quader Molla life in prison for his war-time atrocities on the freedom-loving Bengalis.

The ‘lenient’ sentence sparked off a wave of anger and frustration, drawing people to Shahbagh to form mass protests.

Though the demonstrators did not continue their sit-in there, the Ganajagaran Mancha was there and several programme were also held.

But police dismantled the Mancha before dawn on Monday after launching a raid against the marauding activists of Hifazat-e Islam at Motijheel in the capital.

Rallies continued to take place there even after the police action on Tuesday.

Imran H Sarker, spokesman for the Mancha, in a press release on Wednesday announced the continuous sit-in.

”It was announced long before that Ganajagaran Mancha will go for its continuous 24-hour sit-in before each war crimes verdict,” the statement read.

The Mancha has been pressing for a six-point charter of demands that includes a ban on Jamaat and its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir.