RANGPUR, Nov 13, 2024 (BSS) - The anti-discrimination student movement
protested by blocking the Dhaka-Rangpur highway here today demanding
appointment of advisers from the northern region in the interim government.
 
Many students participated in the program for the third consecutive day today
and raised voice against the 'extreme discrimination' due to the non-
appointment of advisers from Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions in the interim
government.
 
Students from different educational institutions gathered at Lalbag
Intersection and took a protest procession to Modern Intersection via Begum
Rokeya University.
 
Later, they blocked the Dhaka-Rangpur highway and sat down at Modern
Intersection.
 
Student coordinators Imran Ahmed, Ashfaq Ahmed, Nahid Hasan Khandaker, Imtiaz
Ahmed, Yasir Arafat, Carmichael College students Saiful Islam and Shariful
Islam, among others, addressed the rally.
 
The speakers complained that the interim government is discriminating against
Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions. Although thirteen of the advisors are from
Chittagong division, none has been taken from the northern region.
 
They said if the interim government continues like this, regional
discrimination will increase further.
 
Imran Ahmed said Rangpur is the birthplace of the July mass uprising that
sparkled with the blood of Shaheed Abu Sayeed on July 16 instantly uniting
the nation against the fascist regime of ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh
Hasina.
 
On August 10, the chief adviser of the interim government Dr Muhammad Yunus
came to Rangpur and said that Rangpur will be one of the best districts in
the country, number one.
 
"But there is not a single adviser in the government to speak for the people
of the Rangpur region. And thus, Rangpur, the birthplace of Shaheed Abu
Sayeed, is being grossly neglected," he said.
 
The speakers demanded that several qualified people from the northern region,
including former social service secretary of Dhaka University Central
Students' Union (DUCSU) Akhter Hossain from North Bengal, be appointed as
advisors.
 
If the demands were not met, the protesters threatened to announce a program
to block roads and railways and bring Rangpur division to a standstill.
 
The students raised a three-point demand on behalf of the students and people
of Northbengal to eliminate regional disparities.
 
The demands are- At least two to four advisors from each of the two divisions
of Northbengal should be appointed to the interim government to formulate
inclusive policies for balanced development.
 
There should be no regional discrimination in the appointment of bureaucrats
and officials in various government institutions. Along with this, each
advisor should make the progress of their activities public on a weekly
basis.
 
No adviser who is controversial and does not embrace the July uprising can be
kept in the interim government; the advice of anti-discrimination student
leaders of Northbengal should be taken in formulating policies.