Dhaka: Families of the students arrested during quota reform movement and safe road movement held a human chain in front of the Jatiya Press Club on Friday demanding their immediate release.

Saleha Begum, mother of Rashed Khan, a joint convener of the quota reform movement, broke into tears while speaking at the human Chain programme under the banner of ‘Suffering Families’ claiming her son to be innocent, reports the UNB.

Rashed Khan was arrested on June 1 from Mirpur Bhashantake on two charges — one under the ICT Act and another for allegedly attacking the DU VC’s house.

Addressing Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as a mother, she urged, ‘Mother, please release my son. Please let him continue his study. He has not done anything wrong. He is innocent.’

Shafiqul Islam,father of another arrested DU student and quota movement leader Tarikul Islam, demanded investigation into the allegations brought against his son and thus prove his guilt, if any.

On July 2, Tarikul Islam was shown arrested in the case filed over vandalising the DU VC’s house.

Dipu, a student of Asia Pacific University, said a group of miscreants attacked the students when they peacefully joined the safe road movement and injured many students.

But no action was taken against the attackers while the protestors were arrested who fell victims to attack during the protest, he alleged.

Nagorik Oikya convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna who also spoke on the occasion demanded immediate action against those who attacked the students and journalists during the two movements.

Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Zafrullah Chowdhury, human rights activist Farida Akter and academic activist Rezaur Rahman Lenin, among others, spoke at the human chain programme demanding immediate release of the students and exemplary punishment of the attackers.

They also demanded immediate release of Drik gallery MD and photographer Shahidul Alam and actress Nawshaba.