Demands met, why continuing protests: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday questioned the justification for continuing the agitation on the Buet campus over the killing of Abrar Fahad after the students’ demands were met by the university authorities.

“The Buet vice-chancellor has accepted the 10-point demand of the students. But after that, the students have said they will continue their protest… I don’t know what is the logic behind it,” she said.

Addressing the second conference of the Mohila Sramik League at the capital’s Krishibid Institution, Bangladesh, the PM issued a strong warning against any wrongdoing on the campus of educational institutions.

Stern actions would be taken against the wrongdoers whoever they might be, she said.

“We say it clearly that we will never tolerate any crime on the campus… we didn’t allow it in the past and will not accept it in future.”

Hasina, also the Awami League president, said the government did not hesitate to take action against Abrar’s killers. “We don’t see who belongs to which party… we treat killers as killers, wrongdoers as wrongdoers and torturers as torturers.”

She said she did not wait after being informed of the killing of Abrar.

“I immediately instructed the police to arrest the killers and collect all information regarding the murder from the video footage. But the police faced trouble in collecting the footage.”

The PM said the students obstructed the collection of the footage by police.

Hasina said the inspector general of police rushed to her after the murder. The IGP informed her that students wanted a copy of the footage, she said, adding that she directed the police chief to give a copy to the students.

The premier said she also asked the IGP to identify and arrest the killers and take actions against them.

She said none but the Awami League government held trials of killings on campuses. “The trial of the killing of Sabikun Nahar Sony, who died during an intra-party clash of Chhatra Dal at Buet, was not held.”

Nobody protested at that time and the Buet Alumni Association didn’t speak about the incident, the PM added.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina holds a crest during the council of Mahila Sramik League at the capital’s Krishibid Institution yesterday. Photo: PID

DHAKA-DELHI DEALS ISSUE

The PM criticised those opposing the MoUs, signed earlier this month in New Delhi, on the withdrawal of 1.82 cusec water from the Feni river by India and supply of bulk LPG from Bangladesh to India.

About water-sharing of the Feni river, she said Bangladesh and India have equal rights on using its water.

Hasina said Bangladesh would export LPG to Tripura after importing it.

Recalling the contributions of the people of Tripura during the Liberation War, she said they gave shelter to Bangladeshis and provided food.

The AL chief asked the Mohila Sramik League leaders and activists to create awareness among the people so that nobody goes abroad by stepping into the trap of brokers.

The PM elaborated her government’s steps for the welfare of the women and said they have to create space for themselves in the society and build themselves through obtaining proper education.

AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader also addressed the programme, chaired by Mohila Sramik League President Raushan Jahan Sathi.

Earlier, the AL chief inaugurated the conference of the Mohila Sramik League by releasing pigeons and balloons.

A minute’s silence was observed to show respect to the memories of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, four national leaders and martyrs of different movements, including the independence movement in 1971.