Police detained former minister Abdul Latif Siddique and several others after chaos during an event organised by the newly formed freedom fighters’ platform Mancha 71.
The incident took place at about 12:00pm on Thursday at the Dhaka Reporters Unity in the capital.
Among those detained are also reported to be some Awami League leaders but their identities could not be confirmed immediately.
Hafiz Al Asad, additional deputy commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, said that the detainees would be taken to Shahbagh Police Station.
Earlier on the day, Manch 71 had arranged a roundtable discussion titled Our Great Liberation War and the Constitution of Bangladesh at DRU’s Shafiqul Kabir Auditorium, where former Gono Forum president Kamal Hossain was scheduled to attend as chief guest.
Freedom fighter Golam Mostafa, who attended the programme, said, ‘‘Freedom fighters of all political backgrounds were invited to the event. We started the programme on time and Latif Siddique joined, but Kamal Hossain did not come. Then, 20 to 25 young men came to the spot and created a chaos.’
Amid chaos, a police team led by ADC Asad took Latif Siddique and several others away in a police van.
Witnesses said that the chaos erupted after members of a group introducing them members of a platform named July Joddha entered the venue and besieged the participants, including Latif Siddique.
Manch 71, formed earlier this month, was launched saying that they would prevent distortions of the Liberation War’s history and to uphold the honor of freedom fighters.
The platform comprises freedom fighters, representatives of the younger generation, and students.
It is coordinated by Professor Abdullah Al Mahmud and senior Supreme Court lawyer ZI Khan Panna.
The initiative was formally announced through a press release on August 5.
