DU chalks out programs to observe 2007 ‘Black Day’

The Dhaka University authorities have chalked out programs to observe August 23 as the “Black Day” in memory of the “inhuman, sad and condemnable” attack on the university’s teachers, students and officials on August 20-23, 2007.

To mark the day, a virtual discussion will be held at the university's Abdul Matin Chowdhury virtual classroom on Sunday morning, with Vice Chancellor Dr Md Akhtaruzzaman in the chair, said a DU press release issued on Saturday.

Students, teachers and officials of the university have been asked to wear black badges marking the day, reports BSS.

On August 20, 2007, army personnel assaulted three students and insulted a teacher of DU at the gymnasium playground during a football match, triggering clashes between police and students at DU and other educational institutions across the country.

On the night of August 23, the military arrested four teachers and eight students of the university, and reportedly tortured them.

Also Read - 'Attack on Dhaka University teachers, students was preplanned'

The army-backed caretaker government released them in January 2008 in the face of strong protests.

On August 19 in 2010, a subcommittee was formed to probe the campus violence and its aftermath following an application made by Prof Dr Anwar Hossain, Prof Muntasir Mamun, Prof Moloy Kumar Bhoumik, Prof Shamsul Alam and journalist Muniruzzaman.

The committee observed that the attack was preplanned. The then chief adviser of the caretaker government, chief of army and officers of Directorate General of Forces Intelligence were directly involved with the incident. The role of police and RAB was also disgraceful.