We could not publish any news on Prothom Alo's online edition since 19 July as internet connection was snapped. As the internet connection has been restored on a limited scale, we would gradually publish important news published on Prothom Alo print edition in last several days.
The coordinators of the anti-discrimination student movement are observing as to what steps government takes to meet the demands of the students within ultimatum.
The protesters announced a four-point demand and set government 48-hour ultimatum at 10:00pm on Sunday to concede to the demands. The ultimatum ends at 10:00pm Tuesday.
The four point demands include restoration of internet, reopening of residential halls of universities by allowing students to return, ensuring safety of the coordinators of the protests and lifting of curfew.
Four coordinators of the platform at a press conference at Ganasasthya Kendra Hospital on Sunday night told that they would roll out new sets of demands if the government does not meet their four point demands. The coordinators—Sarjis Alam, Hasnat Abdullah and Mahin Sarker—went to the hospital visit another key coordinator Nahid Islam, who was receiving treatment at the hospital.
Sarjis told Prothom Alo on Monday, “We placed four point demands from our position and urged the government to meet these demands within 48 hours. The ultimatum is still in place.’
He said they are observing the situation as to how much importance the government attaches to these demands and would convene again on Tuesday to take further decision.
Two coordinators and one co-coordinator met two ministers and a state minister on Friday night at state guest house Padma. Law minister Anisul Huq, education minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury and state minister for information and broadcast Mohammad Ali Arafat were present at the meeting. The three leaders of the platform placed their 8-poiint demands in written.
Sarjis said those eight demands are still in place. The demands are, investigation must be carried out in every incident of killing, perpertrators to be arrested and brought to book; financial assistance to be provided to families of martyres and jobs provided to one member of family; seats to be allocated in every residential hall of universities through university administration, terrorism should be stopped in campuses and student unions to be activated; all cases filed against students to be withdrawn, the students who participated in the movement must not be harassed politically, legally or through university administration.
On the eight demands of the students, Mohammad A Arafat told Prothom Alo on Monday night that the government is actively considering the demands of the students.
He said an investigation committee has already been formed to investigate the deaths. Those involved would be brought to book quickly, the families of the victims would be assisted by the government. Work is going on to ensure safety of the students and peaceful environment in campuses.
Meanwhile, a joint statement was sent to the newsmen on behalf of 56 coordinators around 4:30pm on Monday. A coordinator later confirmed the veracity of the joint statement.
The joint statement urged students to intensify the ‘complete shutdown’.
It added that the government cannot shun the responsibility of killing using a court order.
The statement alleged that the government is reprssing students over quota reform movement. It also added that over 300 students and people were killed.
The coordinators also alleged that the police picked up some key organisers and tried in vain to compel them to issue charged up statement. Coordinator Nahid Islam was tortured brutally. They also sought whereabouts of coordinators Asif Mahmud, Abu Baker Majumder and others.
Asked about the announcement of intensifying the complete shutdown, Sarjis Alam told Prothom Alo, ‘We don’t have any such programme.’
* This story was published in Prothom Alo print edition on 23 July.