Siddiqur to be taken to India Thursday

Titumir College student Siddiqur Rahman, who sustained injuries in his eyes during a “police action” in Dhaka’s Shahbagh, will be taken to a hospital in Chennai of India on Thursday.

“Siddiqur will be taken to Sankara Nethralaya Hospital in Chennai on Thursday where his treatment will begin from Friday after some medical tests,” Parikshit Chowdhury, information officer of the Health and Family Welfare Ministry, told The Daily Star.

Siddiqur along with a doctor and a relative will be taken to the hospital in line with the directives of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the ministry official said.

Health and Family Welfare Ministry will shoulder all treatment cost of the victim, he added.

Earlier, Health Minister Mohammad Nasim visited Siddiqur, now undergoing treatment at National Institute of Opthalmology, and assured him to ensure his better treatment abroad.

Siddiqur told the minister that he has lost his father when he was a little boy and now he is helpless.

“You return home after a complete recovery. I will take your responsibility,” Nasim assured Siddiqur.

The minister also said, “Our first duty is to ensure better treatment of Siddiqur and complete recovery. We are making all necessary arrangements for the sake of Siddiqur’s life.”

Meanwhile, authorities of the National Institute of Opthalmology have already ensured the necessary arrangement to take Siddiqur to the hospital in Chennai.

On July 20, students of seven government colleges that have recently been affiliated with Dhaka University formed a human chain and staged a sit-in in front of the National Museum demanding announcement of exam schedule.

During the demonstration, Titumir College student Siddiqur sustained injuries in his eyes critically when police charged batons and fired teargas canisters to disperse the agitating students.