The interim government on Saturday decided to withdraw within the next three working days the criminal cases filed to suppress the mass movement led by students between July 1 and August 5.
The decision was taken on Saturday at a meeting held at the secretariat presided over by Asif Nazrul, adviser to the ministry of law, justice, and parliamentary affairs.
When asked, the adviser also told journalists that the interim government would聽 remain as long as there was necessary coordination between the people鈥檚 desire for reform and the desire of the political parties for elections.
鈥楶eople have a desire to reform the state. We will stay as long as we are supposed to, balancing the desire for reform and the desire for new elections. Not more, not less,鈥� he said.
He said that no decision has been taken yet about the tenure of the interim government. Please keep two things in mind, the election to be held as soon as possible as per the expectations of the political parties and the reform aspirations of the people of the country.
鈥榃e have seen in the past that attempts were made to use different state institutions, including the police, judiciary, the Anti-Corruption Commission, and public universities, as weapons of repression against the people,鈥� said the adviser.
鈥楾here are some good people in these organisations, but the system was set up in such a way that institutions generate fear for dissenters, and for those who want to exercise their basic rights.鈥�
He said that the meeting also decided to take action against those involved in the killings during the period, while it was also decided to take measures within the next three working days to release children and juveniles arrested in false cases deemed to be filed for harassment.
The meeting also decided that false cases deemed to be filed for harassment under the Anti-Terrorism Act and the Cyber Security Act would be withdrawn quickly.
The necessary support will be provided to the victims of false cases through the Law and Justice Division鈥檚 hotline number, 16430, according to the decision.
The meeting also discussed taking various steps to reduce the backlog of cases.
Expressing their determination to build a country free from discrimination and exploitation, Asif Nazrul urged officials to work quickly and with honesty.
Dhaka University professor Asif Nazrul was sworn in as adviser to the interim government on Thursday after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government.
On August 5, prime minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled to India amid mass protests led by students.
