DU teacher tells court of colleagues’ involvement

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A Dhaka University teacher of the pro-BNP White Panel yesterday gave statement against four senior colleagues and 15 students in connection with two cases filed for breaching the Emergency Power Rules (EPR) in August last year.

The teacher accused Dhaka University Teachers’ Association (Duta) General Secretary Prof Anwar Hossain and Science Faculty Dean Prof Harun-ar-Rashid of making provocative speeches.

But he did not say anything against Duta President Sadrul Amin and applied physics department Chairman Prof Neem Chandra Bhowmik.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Golam Rabbani recorded statement of Dr Mizanur Rahman of marketing department, while defence lawyers of four teachers and a student, all behind bars, cross-examined him.

Dr Mizan, also a Canadian immigrant, told the court he was present at a Duta emergency general meeting on August 21 where they demanded withdrawal of army camp from the campus, proper treatment of the wounded students and lifting the state of emergency.

At the meeting, Prof Anwar declared solidarity with the students’ movement and decided to wear black badges and bring out a silent procession protesting against attacks on the students.

For most of the time, Prof Sadrul absented himself from the meeting and did not make any speech, even though he was in the chair, he added.

On August 22, Duta brought out a silent procession and ended it at the Central Shaheed Minar where Prof Anwar made a speech about different demands and Prof Harun declared solidarity with those.

But he did not find Prof Sadrul and Prof Bhowmik at the procession and rally, the witness said.

After the recording of his statement, the defence cross-examined him on different points. In reply to a question, Dr Mizan told the court he was in the procession and was present at the rally.

The court fixed today for next hearing of the case.

Later, the accused were taken to the Court of Metropolitan Magistrate Habibur Rahman Siddiqui where Dr Mizan gave statement against them in another case filed for the same charges.

The court also fixed tomorrow for next hearing of the case.

During hearing, the four teachers were given permission to sit on a bench in the dock.

On August 22, the cases were filed against some 5,000 to 6,000 unnamed students and teachers of DU and outsiders for violating the EPR, vandalising public and private property, obstructing police in discharging their duties, and assaulting law enforcers on the campus and in adjacent areas.

But on September 9, police pressed charges against four teachers and 15 students of the university for instigating violence on the campus and at Shahbagh on August 21-22.

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