DHAKA, Aug 3, 2024 (BSS) - Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today called upon the agitating students to sit with her at her official Ganabhaban residence here to put an end to violence centering the quota reform movement.

"The door of Ganabhaban is open. I want to sit with the agitating students of the movement and listen to them. I want no conflict," she said.

The prime minister made the remarks in a meeting with the central leaders of the Peshajibi Somonnoy Parishad (Professionals Coordination Council) at Ganabhaban this morning.

She also asked the authorities concerned to release the detained general students.

The prime minister, as well, assured of holding trial of each killing during the anti-quota movement.

"Trial of each of the killing must be held," she said.

“I am telling again that I’m still agreed to hold talks if the agitators want. They can come any time (to Ganabhaban). If required they can come with their guardians," she said.

She also announced cancelling the proposed, universal pension scheme "Prottoy" for universities, autonomous and state-owned organisations.

Sheikh Hasina said she never closed her doors rather she is eagerly waiting to hear the demands of the agitating students.

"I want to hear their demands. We will try our best to implement those. I don't want this conflict, " she said.

The Prime Minister said their main demand which was quota reform has already been met.

Apart from this, she said, she has already instructed to release the innocent people that include general students from the jail.

"I have already asked to start releasing innocent people and students who were not involved in the killings and destructions. And it has already started," she said.

The HSC students (detained after the mayhem) have already been released, she said.
The Prime Minister, however, reiterated her vow that those involved in killings and massive destruction across the country would be brought to justice through proper investigation.

"I want those who have been involved in such acts, whoever they might be, maybe police or any other people, must be brought to book through proper investigation," she said.

To this end, she said the policemen responsible for the incident (death of a student named Sayeed) in Rangpur have already been suspended.

"Investigation against him (the cop) has already started and he must be exposed to justice," she said.

The Prime Minister reminded all that they formed a one-member judicial enquiry commission with a High Court judge well before raising the demand.

She continued that the commission was later made a three-member one with inclusion of two more judges of the apex court by enhancing its periphery and time of submitting the probe report so that they can properly investigate into the matters.

She went on saying, " I want to make it clear whoever were involved in killings must be brought to justice."

Former President of Jatiya Press Club Md Shafiqur Rahman, MP, and Managing Director and Chief Editor of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) Abul Kalam Azad, among others, were present.

President of Peshajibi Somonnoy Parishad Professor Dr. Kamrul Hasan Khan, Presidium Members Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, Dr Mostofa Jalal Mohiuddin, Advocate Yusuf Hossain Humayun, Prof Dr Niamul Huq Bhuiyan, Engineer Md Abdus Sabur, Dr Md Jamal Uddin Chowdhury, Prof Dr Engineer Md Habibur Rahman, Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) President Sohel Haider Chowdhury, Principal AKM Fazlul Haque, Engineer SM Khabiruzzaman and Advocate Abdur Rahman Hawlader, Secretary General Engineer Md Shahadat Hossain Shiblu, joint secretary generals Prof Dr Zeenat Huda, Advocate Shah Monjurul Hoque, Dr Ehteshamul Hoque Chowdhury, Khairul Alam Prince, SM Monjurul Haque and Dr Md Ohidul Islam, among others, spoke on the occasion.