Amir of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Professor Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said, ‘Our local responsible level leaders have already met with the administration at the division, district and upazila levels. We have made it clear to them that if they come forward to fulfill their duties, we will guard them.’
He said these things on Friday afternoon in response to the questions of the journalists after the funeral prayers of Ali Raihan, the organizing secretary of the Mahanagar branch student camp, who was shot dead in the clash with the police-Awami League students during the quota reform movement in Rajshahi.
Earlier on Friday at 3 pm, the funeral of the slain camp leader was held at Rajshahi College grounds. Amir of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Dr. spoke at the funeral. Shafiqur Rahman. Central leaders of Jamaat and Shibir were present at this time.
Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said, ‘We expect radical reforms. The reformation war has begun but it is not over. In this war we are and will be inshallah.’
This top leader of Jamaat also said, ‘The expectations of the students and youth who have fought to free the country from discrimination, the expectations of the 18 crore people of this country are the same expectations of our party. And that hope is to establish insab in the country, eliminate discrimination and injustice and ensure people’s fair rights.’
Amir of Jamaat also said, ‘We have placed Jamaat-Shibir leaders with sticks as guards in important religious institutions of different religions. They have been guarding day and night for the past 3 days. We have opened an emergency helpline to help those who feel insecure from among them (minorities) or from common citizens.’
He said, ‘We have already formed committees to build resistance in different places. From the first day we have called the nation through statements that we will not allow anarchy or chaos. That is why we are always on guard. If anyone tries to create chaos, we will resist it.’
The Amir of Jamaat broke down in tears at the funeral of the slain camp leader earlier and said, ‘The illegal government of the dictatorship has killed many of our leaders and activists. Many activists have disappeared. Some have been found and we have not yet found some. We must prosecute the murders, disappearances and murders of the tyrannical government.’
It is to be noted that Ali Raihan (28), the organizing secretary of Rajshahi Mahanagar Chhatra Shibir, was seriously injured by police and Awami League firing during the quota reform movement in Alupatti area of Rajshahi city on August 5. After fighting with death for three days, he died while undergoing treatment at Rajshahi Medical College (Ramek) Hospital last Thursday around 7:15 pm.
On that day, at least 50 people were shot and more than 100 students were injured in the clash. Many of the injured are still undergoing treatment at Ramek Hospital. A student of Barendra University named Shakib Anjum Sabuj (27) was hacked to death by the terrorists of Awami League and Youth League with a sharp weapon while fleeing from the place of conflict.