Country’s situation to be normal soon

Amid a curfew, the government on Sunday assured the foreign nationals and students staying in Bangladesh that the ongoing situation would normalise within a "short time".
At the State Guest House Jamuna, Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Sunday briefed the Dhaka-stationed foreign diplomats over the current situation.
Over 60 diplomats from different missions and international agencies joined the briefing.
"The government of Bangladesh regrets the unwarranted disruption of daily life caused by the recent episode of violence," the minister said.
He held "anti-liberation, anti-state elements and religious extremists" responsible for "infiltrating peaceful student protest for quota reform in public job recruitment".
Referring to the verdict of the Appellate Division on Sunday, which cancelled an earlier High Court judgement, the minister said that the government hopes the latest judgement would help settle the quota related disputes.
He told the diplomats that the government, in consultation with law enforcers and its political allies, had decided to impose curfew and deployed military in aid to civil administration until the situation normalise.
He also assured the diplomats of the government's commitment to ensure safety and security of the diplomatic premises and persons.
The minister said the government is aware of the anxiety and concerns that might have surfaced among the diplomatic community and inconvenience caused by the Internet blackout and temporary movement disruptions.
He also mentioned that although the protest was triggered by a court verdict, not by any executive action, the government, from its deep conviction to democratic norms and practices, made room for peaceful assembly and protests, initially by university students.
The minister said despite the government's exercise of utmost restraints by law enforcers, the anti-liberation and anti-state elements, and religious extremists, including BNP-Jamaat-Shibir clique, took advantage of the situation by infiltrating the movement and turning it extremely violent and destructive.
"The government quickly moved to protect lives and properties. It also immediately formed a judicial inquiry committee led by a judge of the High Court Division to investigate the violence and unfortunate deaths".
Highlighting the government's steps to address the situation peacefully, the minister said, "The prime minister assigned a ministerial committee to discuss with the student representatives to reach an agreement on their demands and eventually, the committee met with the student group in the early hours of 20 July, holding a satisfactory discussion."
"Subsequently, the student movement coordinators refrained from announcing any further programme. Condemning the act of violence and destruction, they also disassociated themselves from it," he added.

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