We are concerned, alarmed

Students take position on road at Science Laboratory intersection, Dhaka on 4 August 2018 in a protest demanding safe road. The protest sparked off following the death of two students in a road crash in the city on 29 July. Photo: Suhada Afrin
Students take position on road at Science Laboratory intersection, Dhaka on 4 August 2018 in a protest demanding safe road. The protest sparked off following the death of two students in a road crash in the city on 29 July. Photo: Suhada Afrin

Each and every person of the country was moved by the outpouring of sympathy and strong reaction of the students whose two classmates of Shaheed Ramiz Uddin Cantonment College were killed in a tragic road accident. The people also expressed their solidarity with the students’ nine-point demand to ensure safe roads. Even ministers, leaders and the highest level of the government termed this students’ movement as justified.

The people hailed the students for checking the papers of vehicles on the city streets. The police even helped them in this task, according to media reports. These actions by the students brought to light the horrendous irregularities and disorder that prevails in the road transport sector. It is most unfortunate that many cars, both private and government, did not have valid papers.

The people had hoped for a peaceful conclusion to this protest. But that did not happen. The road transport workers and owners countered this initiative of the students by bringing all public transport around the country to a halt. They claimed that they were concerned about the safety of the vehicles. They first stopped inter-district buses and then vehicles carrying goods. Pubic life came to a virtual halt and the economy was hit hard too.

The concern and alarm did not end there. Things deteriorated when certain unruly youth attacked the peaceful gatherings of the students in and around Dhaka. It is clear that these attacks were launched by various affiliated wings of the ruling party. When the protesting students tried to resist, clashes ensued. Many were injured and taken to hospital. Panic and rumours spread. On Saturday the violence was restricted to Pilkhana and Jhigatola, but on Sunday there was violence in several other spots of the city. We are concerned.

Clashes and the use of force is not the solution. The students’ movement for safe roads must conclude peacefully. Since the government has acknowledged that their demands are justified, what prevents the demands from being met? Verbal agreement is not enough. Tangible measures must be taken immediately so the students can be assured.

The students have been protesting for over a week. The longer the students remain in the streets, the more complicated and difficult the situation will become. This is unwarranted. The government claims that the opposition political forces have infiltrated the movement and were creating chaos. Let them reveal this to the people. But it is unacceptable that this is used as an excuse for the activists of a wing of the ruling party to pounce upon the protestors with sticks and knives. And neither can the government simply remain mute while the transport workers and owners halt public transport.

We hope the government takes immediate measures so the students return home from the streets. Let normalcy return to the roads and the campuses.