Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday announced a judicial enquiry to ensure fair and just trial in the recent unwanted incidents including killings.
She also unequivocally announced that steps will be taken to ensure that those who committed the murders, looting and terrorist activities, whoever they are, will get the appropriate punishment.
"On whose instigation the conflict started, who for what purpose pushed the country to an anarchic situation, will be investigated and found out," she said.
The prime minister said this in a televised address to the nation.
The speech was aired by Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar, private TV channels and radio stations simultaneously.
Hasina in her 8 minute speech expressed her grave concern regarding the safety of the protesting students.
"These terrorists can create an environment of conflict at any time and harm them," she said.
She appealed to the parents, guardians and teachers of the students to be vigilant about the safety of their children.
"At the same time, the safety of students of all educational institutions has to be specially monitored," she said.
The prime minister said that the government appealed to the Supreme Court against the High Court verdict to reinstate the quota system.
She mentioned that a date of hearing has been fixed in the Appellate Division.
She said that the court has created an opportunity to hear the students if they have any statement.
"There is an opportunity to resolve the issue through this legal process. Despite the opportunity to resolve this legal process, don't allow the criminals to protest on the streets," she said.
She specially requested everyone to wait patiently till the Supreme Court verdict.
"I believe our student society will get justice from the high court, they will not be disappointed," she hoped.
"InshAllah, in the spirit of the Liberation War, we will make our beloved motherland a smart Bangladesh with the cooperation of all," she declared.
The prime minister said that In 2018, in view of the student movement, the government issued a circular canceling the quota system in government jobs.
"Subsequently, the High Court quashed the 2018 government circular in favour of maintaining the quota for the freedom fighters. The government appealed to the Supreme Court to uphold the circular and the court fixed a date for hearing," she said.
At this time, she said, the students again started a movement with the demand of quota reform.
"The government has shown considerable patience and tolerance since the beginning of this movement," said the PM.
She mentioned that the police rather cooperated in ensuring the security of the protesters. When the agitators expressed their desire to submit memorandums to the President, they were given an opportunity and security arrangements were also made.
"The regrettable matter is that some vested interest groups started making different kinds of speeches and terrorist activities centring this movement to fulfil their ambitions. As the matter has been appealed to the High Court, I am urging everyone to be patient," she said.
Hasina said that It is a matter of great regret that some quarters took the opportunity of this movement to indulge in acts of terrorism to fulfil their ambitions.
"As a result, all the events that have happened centring the innocent students' movement are very painful and sad. How many precious lives have been lost unnecessarily. Who knows more than me the pain of losing your loved ones?"
She expressed her deep condolences over the deaths and conveyed sympathy to their families.
"I condemn every killing. All the events that happened were never desirable," said the prime minister in a sombre tone.
She said that In Chattogram , terrorists brutally threw down students from the roof of a multi-storied building to kill them and severed the tendons of many students.
She also said that terrorists hit many students with sticks and sharp weapons. One died, many fought with the death. In Dhaka, Rangpur and Rajshahi universities, the residences of a vice-chancellor and student halls were set on fire and vandalised.
She said that common pedestrians, shopkeepers were attacked, even ambulances carrying patients were blocked.
Students in the girls' halls are being attacked and assaulted. Provosts have been threatened and assaulted in resident halls. The teachers were assaulted, she said. —UNB
