DU live: The Dhaka University (DU) authorities observed ‘Black Day’ marking the attack on the institution’s teachers, students and employees on August 20 to 23, 2007, during the military-backed
caretaker government.

Teachers, students, officials and employees of the university wore black badges marking the day, said a DU press release.

To mark the day, a discussion was held at the Abdul Matin Virtual Classroom adjunct to the VC’s office through virtual platform with DU Vice-Chancellor Professor Md Akhtaruzzaman in the chair.

DU Pro-VC (Administration) Dr Muhammad Samad, Pro-VC (Academic) Dr ASM Maksud Kamal, General Secretary of DU Teachers Association (DUTA) Dr Nizamul Hoque Bhuiyan, among others, were present on the occasion.

While addressing the DU VC said non-elected and anti-democratic government is responsible for such an inhuman attack on the university’s teachers,
students and officials on August 20 to 23, 2007.

The attack was against the spirit of Liberation War as well as the value of democracy, added the VC. Akhtaruzzaman urged all to remain alert to stop any conspiracy in the country.

On August 20 in 2007, some military members severely beat up students and a violent clash ensued between them centering a football match at DU central playground.

Thousands of DU students took to the streets protesting the incident and demanded withdrawal of the army camp from the campus and an apology from the troops.

Following the clash, the then army-backed caretaker government imposed a curfew on the divisional cities and later arrested four DU teachers Prof Dr Anwar Hossain, Prof Dr Sadrul Amin, Prof Dr Harun-or-Rashid and Prof Dr Neem Chandra Bhowmick and several students on August 23 and tortured them.

The university observes August 23 as the Black Day every year.

Dhaka, 24 August (campuslive24.com)//MI