Speakers at a protest rally held in Dhaka city have demanded immediate release of Shahidul Alam, an internationally acclaimed photographer, and also release of student leaders arrested during recent safe road movement.
Organised under a citizens' platform, the protest rally was held on Sunday in front of National Museum at Shahbagh.
Criticising the government role Gonoshonghoti Andolon chief convener Junayed Saki brought allegation of repression against the government and said, "Shahidul did not make any false comments during the safe road movement. That's why, we hope the government releases him soon."
Demanding the immediate release of Shahidul Alam, Bangladesh Chhatra Union central general secretary Liton Nandy said, "Government is not ready to listen to any kind of criticism and that's why Shahidul Alam and other student leaders are in jail."
"People from all across the world are demanding Shahidul's release, but the government imprisoned him illogically. He didn't get any kind of justice," he claimed.
Bangladesh Samajtantrik Chhatra Front central general secretary Nasir Uddin Prince, and Biplobi Chhatra Moitri central president Iqbal Kabir, among others, addressed the rally, UNB reported.
After the rally was over, a cultural programme was organised with performers seeking immediate release of Shahidul Alam.