A group of 48 young entrepreneurs today expressed solidarity with the student movement and their demands.

They issued a statement saying that, as members of the business community, they cannot stand silently by and watch the loss of innocent lives and for people's demands to go unheard.

The signatories are either fresh or second-generation entrepreneurs engaged particularly in the garment sector.

They issued the statement under the banner of 'The Next Generation Textile and Apparel Business Community of Bangladesh'.

"We reiterate our concerns for all citizens of this country. As proud members of an independent nation, we believe that all individuals should be able to exercise their rights peacefully. We extend our deepest sympathies to those affected by recent events and want to see the perpetrators brought to justice through fair investigation," the statement said.

They expressed deepest sympathies and condolences to those affected.

"All lives matter. We urgently call for fair justice and immediate economic restoration in the best interests of this nation and its citizens.

"We would like to end by saying we sincerely pray and hope the current situation normalises for the greater interest of the country."