PROTESTS BY DU-AFFILIATED COLLEGE STUDENTS Govt to send Siddikur to India for eye treatment

The government would send Siddikur Rahman, who sustained serious injuries on both of his eyes in Thursday’s police action, to India for better treatment, said health minister Mohammad Nasim on Monday.
A Titumir Government College student, Siddikur got hit by a tear gas shell fired by the police at a demonstration of students of seven government colleges affiliated to Dhaka University at Shahbagh demanding the announcement of their examination schedules.
Ophthalmologists said that Siddikur was likely to lose vision in his right eye due to his injuries.
According to a health and family welfare ministry statement on Monday, the minister directed National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital director Golam Mostofa to arrange for sending Siddikur to Chennai in India.
The statement also said that the government would bear all treatment expenses of Siddikur.
Selim Miah, nephew of Siddikur, said that the process of getting necessary documents to send him to India had begun. He hoped that Siddikur would be able to go to India within two or three days.
Earlier in morning, ruling Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader, also road transport and bridges
minister, said that the government would send Siddikur abroad for better treatment.
‘Prime minister Sheikh Hasina during the cabinet meeting has expressed concern over the injury of Siddikur Rahman and the premier has asked me to visit him,’ Quader said as he went to see Siddikur. 
Meanwhile, left-leaning Progressive Student Alliance demanded withdrawal of a case against 1,200 students of the seven colleges and urged the government to take responsibility for the treatment of Siddikur.
Bangladesh Chhatra Union president GM Zilani Shuvo, also convener of the alliance, made the demands while addressing a press conference at Dhaka University’s Madhu’s Canteen.
Shuvo also called for a judicial inquiry into the police’s use of excessive force against the agitating students. 
He also urged the authorities concerned to sort out academic-administrative issues between Dhaka University and the seven colleges immediately and meet the students’ demands.
Siddikur’s classmates, who was with him during Thursday’s demonstration, alleged that the police shot tear gas shells directly on the face of Siddikur, from a distance of just 2-3 feet. 
A video footage of the police action confirmed the allegation.

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net