Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has stated that the lives lost during the anti-quota violence can never be regained.

Daily Bijoy News Dhaka Correspondent:

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stated on Wednesday that while the structures destroyed during the recent quota reform violence can be rebuilt, the lives lost can never be regained. “The structures that were destroyed can be rebuilt. But we will never get back the lives that were lost,” she said. She made these remarks while inaugurating the National Fisheries Week-2024 at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the city.

The Prime Minister reiterated that there was no justification for the movement, as all demands had been met, and the Appellate Division had ordered a status quo on the High Court’s judgment, thereby restoring the effectiveness of the government’s 2018 notification that abolished the quota system in public service jobs.

“Even then, such incidents and destructive acts were carried out, and many lives were lost in the name of the movement. I never thought such a situation would arise at this time and so many young lives would be lost,” she added. She also mentioned that the government formed a judicial inquiry committee headed by a Supreme Court justice, even though no one requested it.

PM Seeks Cooperation from UN, International Organizations for Proper Investigation

PM Hasina stated that the government has sought cooperation from the United Nations and other international organizations to help conduct a proper investigation into the nationwide mayhem surrounding the quota movement to ensure the real culprits involved in the attacks are punished.

She has already directed an increase in the manpower of the committee by two more members to expand the area of investigation. The government has also urged the United Nations and various international organizations, especially those in foreign countries, to cooperate in the investigation.

“There should be a proper and fair investigation of the incident and punishment of the perpetrators,” she said.

National Fisheries Week-2024 Inauguration

To mark Fisheries Week, 22 individuals and organizations were honored with the National Fisheries Medal in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the country’s fisheries sector. The Prime Minister conferred medals and certificates to the recipients, which included six gold medals, eight silver medals, and eight bronze medals. The 22 recipients included 15 farm owners, two fisheries officers, a project director, a university teacher, an association leader, a project, and a committee. She also presented two fishermen with smart identity cards as part of the government’s move to provide fishermen with smart cards.

During the event, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Abdur Rahman presented a special memento to the Prime Minister for her outstanding contribution to the country’s fisheries sector. Among the 15 farm owners, three are from Jashore district, two each from Khulna, Satkhira, and Cox’s Bazar, and one each from Jhenaidah, Bogura, Joypurhat, Mymensingh, Sylhet, and Feni. The week-long 'National Fisheries Week-2024' is being celebrated across the country from July 30 to August 5 to promote sustainable development and expansion of fisheries resources. However, the Prime Minister formally opened the fisheries week on Wednesday. Fisheries and Livestock Minister Md Abdur Rahman presided over the inaugural function, while Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Sayeed Mahmood Belal Haider delivered the welcome speech.

Daily Bijoy News/ Chaddopodi