Considering the overall situation, the government has decided to relax curfew from 7:00am to 8:00pm from today (Wednesday).
The decision was taken in a meeting of seven ministers and state ministers and high officials of different relevant ministries, held at the Home Ministry on Tuesday, with Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal in the chair.
Among others, Law Minister Anisul Huq, Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun, Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nawfel, State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak, State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat and State Minister for Labour and Employment Nazrul Islam Chowdhury and senior officials of the ministries and divisions attended the meeting.
While briefing the media after the meeting, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said the meeting has reviewed the overall situation and agreed that the situation is improving gradually. In this situation, the government has decided to reduce the duration of curfew from Wednesday. Curfew will remain relaxed from 7am to 8:00pm from today.
He urged all to follow the curfew hours duly.
He said that Education Minister has been given the responsibility to decide about reopening the educational institutions considering the overall situation. If the ministry thinks that situation is in favour of reopening the schools, it will take decision in consultation with the stakeholders.
The State Minister for ICT will take decision about operations of internet services observing the overall situation, the State Minister for Information will take measures to prevent rumours and fake news, the foreign ministry has been asked to ensure that the real information are being given to the foreign countries, so that they are not misguided, the Home Minister briefed the media on the outcome of the meeting.
Stating about the recent students movement, the Home Minister said, "The government was thinking that the students' movement will be peaceful one. Because we have canceled the quota in 2018 following the student's movement. But, becoming aggrieved with the decision, a section of family members of the freedom fighters lodged a writ petition to the HC. After a complete process, the court disposed the writ petition declaring the government's decision as illegal. The government filed appeal on the court's judgment. We urged the students to go back as the government has taken measures. But, they did not."
"Continuing the movement, they have started giving different demands and the movement turned violent. When the students were going back, third party intruded into the movement and made it devastating. So far, 150 people including police, journalists, politician, students and pedestrian have lost their lives and huge national assets were destroyed. We have mourned on the death on Tuesday," he added.
The minister said that to tackle the situation, the government declared curfew across the country. "Now, the situation is improving gradually, and we are relaxing the curfew."
In response to a query regarding mass arrest, the minister said that the government has not gone for much arrest.
"Those who have destroyed the national assets and killed people are being taken to face law. Three policemen and one Ansar member have lost their lives. At least 10 RAB member are still in critical condition in the hospitals. We are bringing the criminals examining their offenses," he added.
While briefing after the meeting, Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nawfel said regarding reopening the educational institutions, "Public safety is first. We want to reopen the educational institutions in phases considering the overall situations after consulting with the stakeholders."
"We are working to identify the educational institutions in risky places and security matters. Considering the risks, those will be opened in phases," he said.
Regarding the allegations of student harassment, he also said, "We are trying to ensure that the students engaged in peaceful movement are not harassed legally or administratively. If any guardian thinks that their children are innocent, they can contact us. We will provide them all kinds of supports."
