The parents and relatives of people killed during the protest violence in July and August have demanded that former prime minister Sheikh Hasina be brought back to Bangladesh and tried as the 'mastermind' responsible for the deaths, reports bdnews24.com.
The call was made from a human chain organised by the families of the victims, students, and the general public at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka on Wednesday.
Media reports say that some 400 people have died in violence when members of the quota reform movement that became an anti-government movement clashed with Awami League activists and law enforcers.
Many parents attended the human-chain event carrying photographs of their blood-stained children. Many broke down in tears while speaking. The Central Shaheed Minar area grew heavy with the cries of the people who had lost their loved ones.
Rickshaw puller Hafizul Sikder was shot dead in the capital's Badda on Jul 19. His father, Abu Bakar Sikder, took part in the human chain carrying a photograph of his dead son.
He said, "My poor son used to drive a rickshaw. He left with the vehicle that day to earn a livelihood. But he never returned home. A bullet made my two grandchildren orphans and his wife a widow."
"Hasina is responsible for the murder as she directed forces to open fire indiscriminately. I want justice for my son's murder."
Tahir Zaman Priyo, former video journalist of TheReport.live, died after he was injured by gunshots while taking photographs during a clash at Dhanmondi's Central Road on Jul 19.
Taking part in the protest, Tahir's mother Samsi Ara Zaman said: "I was helping the protesters in Rangpur when my son was shot in Dhaka. I cried a lot for the people who died in the movement. But when I heard that my son was shot and his body could not be found, and later when his body was found, I have not been able to cry since then."
"I have no regret for Tahir. I have many children now. The most urgent thing is now to come forward for the treatment of those hospitalised. If I have the ability, I myself would take the responsibility for these injured children."
Twenty-two-year-old Emon Hossain Akash was shot dead at Mirpur-10 roundabout in Dhaka on Aug 4. Carrying his photograph, Emon's mother Bebi Khatun said, "They killed my only child by gunfire. His body was found at Azmal Hospital after a lot of searching. I still see his body in front of my eyes. I cannot take this any more. I want justice for my son."
The family of Abdullah Al Mamun, who was shot dead in Gazipur, also came to join the human chain. His sister said crying, "He was the only brother to us two sisters. My father is a remittance fighter. My brother was shot dead in front of Gazipur Ansar Academy on Aug 5."
The protesters pressed a seven-point charter of demands from the protest.
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