Local government, rural development and co-operatives adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain on Friday said that July 11 was the first resistance day of the 2024 Mass Uprising.
鈥楾he first blood of the 2024 mass uprising was shed at Cumilla University on July 11, when police of the then fascist regime launched a brutal and unprovoked attack on the students of the university. The students after that organised a fierce resistance and blocked the Dhaka-Chattogram highway until 11:00pm that night. It played a significant role in fuelling the nationwide movement,鈥� he said.
Asif declared the day as the First Day of Resistance of the 2024 Mass Uprising while addressing a memorial meeting, organised at Cumilla University, marking the anniversary of the police attack last year.
He said that, like in July, he hoped the students of Cumilla University would always stand for truth and justice. In response to the students鈥� demands, he also announced the donation of three buses for the university.
The event was presided over by the university鈥檚 vice-chancellor Professor Haidar Ali, while pro-vice-chancellor Professor Masuda Kamal attended as a special guest.
Other distinguished guests included treasurer Professor Mohammad Solaiman, proctor Professor Abdul Hakim, Cumilla deputy commissioner Amirul Kaisar and superintendent of police Najir Ahmed Khan.
During the 2024 mass uprising, the first police assault on protesters during the 鈥楤angla Blockade鈥� programme took place at Cumilla University on July 11. Around 20 students were injured as police opened fire, lobbed tear gas shells, and carried out baton charges on the demonstrators, he added.
News of the police attack spread rapidly, igniting anger among the students. The incident triggered a wave of protests across the country, including in Dhaka, where demonstrators condemned the police brutality.
In response, general students from all residential halls of Cumilla University took to the streets and blocked the Dhaka鈥揅hattogram Highway.
The students effectively brought the highway to a standstill for nearly eight hours, in a significant display of resistance.