Jafar Iqbal's wife defends police

Prof Muhammed Zafar Iqbal's wife believes police could not have done much more to prevent the attack on the popular writer.

Prof Yasmeen Haque's remarks came amid criticism from various quarters regarding the security provided by his police detail, reports bdnews24.com.

"Police were onstage. But if someone suddenly pulls out a weapon on an open stage as hundreds of students are celebrating … there is little to be done," she said replying to a question from the media at the Combined Military Hospital in Dhaka on Sunday.

Prof Iqbal was attacked from behind during an event at Sylhet's Shahjalal University of Science and Technology on Saturday.

"The police are with us 24 hours a day," Yasmeen said. "They have provided substantial protection. I do not believe it is right to blame the government or the police at this point," she said.

She described the situation, saying that there were many people around the professor due to the open nature of the stage.