Socio-political groups stand beside students

A number of rights organisations and political parties yesterday showed support for the agitation of students demanding road safety and protesting death of two college students on Sunday, and condemned the attack on students by police and transport workers at different parts in the capital and Narayanganj.

Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) yesterday demanded resignation of Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan for his “insensible attitude” and remarks over the death of the two college students on Dhaka's Airport Road.

Speaking at a meeting at the party office in Dhaka, its leaders urged the government to accept demands of the students in order to ensure road safety, said a press release.

Besides, Ganasamhati Andolan demanded resignation of Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader along with Shajahan Khan for the anarchic situation in the country's transport sector.

It also demanded that the government take strict measures to stop extortion by police and hooligans at various bus terminals, according to a press statement issued by the party yesterday.

Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK), Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST) and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) are among organisations that demanded exemplary punishment for the culprit bus driver, and urged police to be more responsible in their actions.

Issuing a press statement, ASK termed the police's attitude towards the agitating students “totally unacceptable”.

Protesting the police charge over the students' logical demonstrations, the rights body asked law enforcers to be more responsible in their actions and called on the government to take steps for the transport workers' attack on students in Narayanganj.

It also said the anarchy and mismanagement at transport sector, which is continuing for a long time, are reasons behind the increasing number of road accidents and deaths on the roads.

BLAST, in its press release, said such police action on the students, who are mostly children, is against the existing laws of the country.

It demanded the government to pass the proposed Road Transport Act to bring discipline in the transport sector, said the release.

Meanwhile, Nagorik Chhatra Oikya, the student wing of Nagorik Oikya, formed a human chain in front of Jatiya Press Club in Dhaka yesterday morning, demanding a stop to police action on agitating students.

Expressing solidarity with the students' demonstration, its Convenor Nazmul Hasan said it would go for tougher movement if police continue such action.