The National Citizen Party (NCP) condemned attacks by police on engineering students that were peacefully protesting on Wednesday, stating that using sound grenades, tear shells and water cannons on peaceful protestors was in no way acceptable.
This was announced in a press release signed by the party's central joint member secretary Faisal Mahmud Shanto on Thursday.
"Instead of taking any solution-oriented actions in line with the long-standing movement of BSC engineers and diploma engineering students, the government has shown a lack of responsibility. Due to this irresponsibility and negligence, the movement has intensified.
"We observed with deep concern as the police carried out a despicable attack on a previously announced programme engineering students. The NCP expresses strong anger over this incident and calls to ensure a rational and effective solution for the students."
It added that the attack was carried out to hide the government's failure to deal with the long simmering issue.
"In order to sidestep the government's failure to take the necessary initiative regarding the long-standing demands, the police force, formed with public money, attacked the peaceful student movement after the 'Long March to Dhaka' program and the submission of a memorandum containing 7-point demands.
"Numerous students were injured as sound grenades, tear shells and water cannons were employed. Such attacks on peaceful students are in no way acceptable in the new Bangladesh."
The NCP also brought up the issue of revisiting the formation of an Education Reform Commission.
"After the rise of the students, it was necessary to form an Education Reform Commission, where all the necessary initiatives could be taken with stakeholder participation to resolve various inconsistencies and crises at all levels, including universities, colleges, schools, and madrasas."
Finally, it demanded immediate discussions between students and authorities, adding that those who attack peaceful proceedings should be brought to the book.
"On behalf of the NCP, we strongly urge the government to take measures for a peaceful, effective and participatory solution to the reasonable demands made by students through immediate discussions. At the same time, we demand that those who attack any peaceful movement be identified and punished to safeguard democratic rights."
Comments