Police obstruct cultural activists’ human chain in Dhanmondi, Dipak Shil arrested

Allegation of obstruction by police has been raised against the human chain of artists and cultural activists in Dhanmondi of the capital. At this time former president of Chhatra Union Dipak Shil has been taken into police custody.

This human chain was organized on Monday (October 26) afternoon in protest against obstruction of cultural programmes including Baul songs in various places of the country. Cultural activists and artists gathered in front of Meena Bazar on Road No. 27 of Dhanmondi to participate in the programme organized under the banner of ‘Protesting Artist Public’.

Eyewitnesses have informed that during the human chain Dipak Shil was taken away in a police van centering on the slogan of ‘Joy Bangla’.

Assistant Police Commissioner of Mohammadpur Zone Abdullah Al Mamun has said that the situation there was quite tense. Upon receiving the news senior police officers went to the spot. Later Dipak Shil was taken into police custody to bring the situation under control. The matter is being verified.

Actress Sumona Soma, theatre activist Ehsanul Aziz Babu and former president of Chhatra Union Dipak Shil along with several others appeared at the spot in the afternoon to participate in the programme.

Describing the incident actress Sumona Soma has said, “We have come here to protest against attacks on Bauls and obstruction of cultural programmes across the country. But a member of the police came and told us that Joy Bangla slogan cannot be given. When we protested against this, the police took Dipak away.”

She has further said, “Joy Bangla slogan is the achievement of the existence of Bengalis and our independence struggle. We will give this slogan, no one can stop it.”