Coordinators of the Anti-discriminatory Student Movement on Saturday requested the international community and influential countries to stand by Bangladeshi people including students, alleging the government of the country is committing 'genocide' by enforcing 'offline and online crackdown.'
They gave a 24-hour ultimatum to the government to realise their three demands.
The demands include passing law by legislation over quota issue in the light of recommendations of a commission that will be formed comprising all relevant stakeholders, withdrawing all cases and releasing all arrested people over the Quota Reform Movement and taking legal action against Ministers and law enforcers involved in killings and assaults and their suspension.
Coordinators Abdul Hannan Masud and Mahin Sarker and Co-coordinator Rifat Rashid placed the demands at a virtual press conference with journalists in country and abroad at 8:00pm.
If the government does not accept their three demands, the Coordinators said they would launch tougher movements from Monday.
They said they may take to the streets again.
Coordinators announced that they would draw graffiti on streets and wall paintings across the country today (Sunday).
They blamed the government and some of its Ministers of fanning the flame of violence that the country witnessed in the last couple of days.
Rejecting the government circular issued on July 23, they accused the government of wasting time on the pretext of issuing circulars.
We want justice from the world communities, said Coordinator Abdul Hannan Masud.
Masud urged the United Nations to hold the government responsible for using vehicles and helicopters with UN emblem to 'kill people'.
"We are constantly being chased by the secret agencies of the government including DGFI, RAB and DB. Our lives are at stake," Masud said.
The government drove the country to a civil war, he added.
He revealed a list of 266 people who died in gunshots mostly by law enforcers and pro-Awami League activists.
Masud said he believed the number of people died in violence would exceed one thousand.
"Lakhs of students have fled their homes out of fear of being arrested," he said, condemning mass arrest by law enforcers.
He said a case would be filed with International Court if needed seeking justice for the 'genocide.'
Rifat Rashid said, "The government showed no sign of regret for the genocide. Instead, responsible persons of the government tried to tag students and politicise the movement."
"The government has turned the environment into a dirty one and it must take responsibility," Rifat added.
