Students protest in Sunamganj demanding release of former minister MA Mannan

Students from various educational institutions in Shantiganj district of Sunamganj once again blocked the Sylhet-Sunamganj regional highway, demanding the release of former planning minister MA Mannan.

The demonstration took place this morning (September 22) and lasted about an hour and a half, causing traffic jams on both sides of the highway.

At around 10:30 am, students of Dungria High School and College began a protest march through Shantiganj Bazar, occupying the Sylhet-Sunamganj highway. They were soon joined by thousands of students from Abdul Majid College, Sunamganj Textile Institute and Joykalas Ujanigaon Rashidia High School.

Chanting slogans, the students marched on the highway, passing Abdul Majid College and Sunamganj Textile Institute, before staging a blockade in front of the upazila council.

The protesting students said that MA Mannan opened the doors of higher education in Sunamganj. They claimed that Mannan always worked towards providing higher education to students and established many educational institutions including Sunamganj Science and Technology University, Medical College, Textile Institute, BITAC and Azijun Nessa Vocational Institute.

The protesting students also alleged that Mannan had stood up for students during the anti-discrimination student movement and expressed his support on various talk shows.

They argue that making false statements and harassing such an “honest” person is unacceptable.

The students warned that if Mannan was not released unconditionally, they would organise even bigger demonstrations in the future.

On August 4, during a massive student protest in Dowarabazar upazila, police and Awami League activists allegedly attacked protesters, injuring a man named Hafiz Ahmed, who had filed a case in court on September 2.

A total of 99 people have been named in the case, accusing a total of 200 people. MA Mannan, also the Sunamganj district Awami League president, was named as the second accused.

Mannan was arrested from his home on September 19 and sent to Sunamganj district jail the next day.

On September 20 morning, students protested his arrest by staging a human chain and demonstration at Shantiganj Bazar. They also blocked the Sylhet-Sunamganj highway for an hour, disrupting traffic.

MA Mannan, who first contested the general elections in 2008 as an Awami League candidate, was elected as Member of Parliament with 1,33,566 votes. He was re-elected four times in a row from Sunamganj-3 constituency.