Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has pledged to bring those responsible for the recent nationwide violence during the quota reform movement to justice.
“My effort will be to find those involved in these murders. They must be punished,” she asserted.
The Prime Minister made the remarks while providing financial assistance to the families of 34 victims, including Rangpur’s Begum Rokeya University student Abu Sayeed, who lost their lives in the recent turmoil.
The Prime Minister also consoled the family members of the deceased persons killed in the mayhem by BNP-Jamaat terrorists taking the advantages of the recent quota reform movement as they met her at her official residence Ganabhaban in Dhaka.
Family members of deceased Abu Sayeed, an English Department student of Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur (BRUR) along with 33 other families came to the premier's official residence as Sheikh Hasina handed over saving certificates and cash to them as assistance.
All of the deceased persons’ family members burst into weeping after seeing the prime minister.
While member of the deceased persons’ families one by one went to Sheikh Hasina, they broke down with tears.
The premier was also failed to hold her emotion and tears rolling down her cheek and she was seen distressed hearing them.
The teary-eyed prime minister consoled the victims’ family members, saying, "Look at me, I am living with so much pain".
Mentioning that she is beside them, Sheikh Hasina said she is also bearing the pain of losing near and dear ones like them. "So, I understand your pain," she added.
"It's my misery that I have to see your tears," she continued.
At that time, a heart-rending scene took place in the Ganabhaban.
The Prime Minister said she also said that the government will not allow anyone to play duck and drakes with the fate of Bangladesh and its people.
"We will not allow anyone to play any game with the fate of Bangladesh. So, I need all out cooperation and assistance from you," she said.
Mentioning that happening of this type of terrorist incident again and again is not desirable, the Prime Minister said, “I don't know how to console you.
But I can understand your pain.”
At the Ganabhaban, all of those who lost their relatives burst into tears after seeing the Prime Minister.
When the members of the deceased families one by one went to Sheikh Hasina, they broke into tears. The premier could hold back her emotion and tears rolled down her cheeks and she was seen distressed while hearing them.
With tears in her years, the Prime Minister consoled the bereaved family members.
Sheikh Hasina wanted to know about the fault of the mass people for which they were killed and faced severe miseries in their lives.
She also wanted to know about the intention of the terrorists to topple down the government through killing.
“Killing people and toppling the government - when does it happen? When is it possible? What is the fault of the ordinary people,” she further added.
She said she is like the family members of the killed ones as she lost her kith and kin. “Let me just say that I am one like you. (I am) An orphan who has lost parents and brothers. So, I understand your pain. I am for you, I will be by your side,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said that blocking like this and burning everything are never ever acceptable.
It was very much brutal to hang one person after killing, she said, adding, “This is like animals, a Muslim will hang the dead body of another Muslim!
Those who are involved in these will surely face trial.”
The head of government said that the culprits behind these incidents have to be tried. “People can’t be protected unless they are tried,” she added.
She urged the family members to have patience and call almighty Allah to save “us all from these brutal animals.”
“I am with you as long as I live,” she said.
Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury and Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan were present, while Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Secretary Mohammad Salahuddin moderated the event.
Abu Sayeed's father Makbul Hossain, mother Monwara Begum, and other relatives arrived in Dhaka yesterday from Rangpur and came to Ganabhaban.
On July 16, Abu Sayeed, a 12th batch English department student at Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur (BRUR) died during the students’ quota reform movement in Rangpur.
Earlier on July 26, the BRUR administration provided financial assistance to the family of deceased Abu Sayeed.
A delegation from the university handed over a cheque of Taka 750,000 to his parents in Pirganj, Rangpur.
