Go back home to avert ‘acts of sabotage’
Dhaka: Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Thursday urged the agitating students to leave the streets and return to their educational institutions and homes as he fears there might be ‘acts of sabotage’ anytime.
Talking to reporters at his Dhanmondi residence, the minister also alleged that the activists of BNP’s student body Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal and Jamaat’s student wing Chhatra Shibir also took to the streets and instigated the students, reports the UNB.
‘All the demands of the students are logical, and the process to implement those is underway...we now request the students to return to their schools, colleges and homes,’ he said.
Asaduzzaman also said they have already identified those who instigating the demonstrating students with a political motive. ‘We fear if the students continue their agitation, any untoward incident or sabotage can take place anytime.’
‘We’ve information that a vested and politically motivated quarter is trying to influence the student movement. We’ve seen Chhatra Dal and Chhatra Shibir leaders with the students,’ he said.
The minister also said collected the telephonic conversation of BNP leaders who directed Chhatra Dal activists to take to the streets wearing school dresses. ‘It’s unexpected.’
He also said it is gradually getting clear that the student movement can be diverted to another direction. ‘We fear the act of sabotage by the vested group.’
The minister also said as police are showing patience and exercising restraint, they may not be able to prevent if any subversive acts takes place.
Under the circumstances, Asaduzzaman called upon guardians, their neighbours and teachers to play a role in encouraging students to return to their classrooms and homes considering their security.
He also hoped that people will no longer suffer due to the agitation by the students. ‘I want to tell the students - enough is enough. You now go back home. ‘You’re not supposed to do what you’re doing on the streets. Let those responsible for the tasks do their duties.’
Asked about the reported attack on students by police and ruling party men in Mirpur, Asaduzzaman said they have got information that Chhatra Dal activists attacked police there. ‘Later, local people have come forward...’
He also alleged that a vested quarter is carrying out false and blatant propaganda on Facebook only to provoke the students with a political motive.
The minister assured that no action will be taken against the agitating students after their protest ends. ‘They won’t face any trouble since they’re tender students.’
The students went on the movement seeking safe roads after Diya Khanam Mim and Abdul Karim Rajib, students of the college section of Shaheed Ramiz Uddin School and College, were killed as a ‘Jabal-e-Noor Paribahan’ bus ploughed through some students in front of Kurmitola General Hospital on Airport Road in the city on Sunday last.
The tragic accident sparked off huge countrywide student protests that were continuing for the fifth consecutive day on Thursday.