The New Nation - Internet Edition

Jamal Uddin Jami

Though the Dhaka University authorities and the DU teachers' association are active in getting the detained university teachers released, very little attention is being paid to free eight incarcerated students, some fellow students alleged.

Fellow students of the university are demanding the release of the detained students along with the teachers because both were arrested on the same charges.

However, the University authorities are reportedly not paying heed to the students demand saying that it would not take the liability of those involved in incidents outside the university campus, the students said.

They claimed that the University, as their guardian, could not avoid the responsibility for the students now in prison.

Some guardians of the detained students are so poor that they cannot afford the expense of litigation.

The guardian appealed to the government through the DU Vice-Chancellor to forgive their wards, said Abdur Rahman Sabuj, brother of detained student Biplab.

He said his brother had so far been brought under remand thrice for nine days including the Eid day.

Abul Hasnat, friend of detained Din Mohammad Angel, told The New Nation that the university authorities have to take responsibility for the students along with that of the detained teachers. He said it is not right to free some people and not others.

Father of Angel, another detained student, said DU VC told him they are now dealing with the teachers` issue and later they will think of the students.

A total of eight students and four teachers of Dhaka University have been in prison for the last four months in connection with students' unrest of August 20 to 22.

The detained students were identified as Din Islam Angel,

Manabendra Dev, Zahidul Islam Biplab, Asaduzzaman, Liton Mahmud, Rafiqul Islam Sujan, Maniruzzaman and Din Islam.

Of them, one student was arrested in connection with campus violence and seven other students for incidents outside the campus.

DU Vice Chancellor Prof SMA Faiz said they are trying their utmost to free both the teachers and students. But he could not do anything about those arrested in connection with incidents outside the campus.

AAMS Arefin Siddiqui, acting Dean of Social Science Faculty, said they have been demanding the release of both the teachers and students because the teachers supported the students` agitation from a moral standpoint.

Dhaka University Teachers` Association (DUTA) assembled for a crucial general meeting last night where decisions would be taken to free the teachers immediately, sources said.