The organizers and students of the anti-discrimination student movement gave their opinion on how Khulna will run in the future and what will be the role of the police administration. Yesterday Friday afternoon, they expressed their views in an exchange meeting with Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP) Commissioner Mozammel Haque.

The discussion started at Khulna Metropolitan Police Headquarters at 4 pm and continued till 7 pm. In the meeting chaired by Khulna University student Ayman Ahad, 19 organizers and students presented their views and demands before the police commissioner. The meeting began by observing silence in memory of Mir Mahfuzur Rahman, a former student of Khulna University who died in the anti-discrimination student movement and Abu Saeed, a student of Begum Rokeya University of Rangpur.

As the first speaker in the meeting, Khulna University student Sajjadul Islam said, ‘We want to see that the police will not take part in any negative activities in the future. They will act as the people’s police. Khulna district and city police will not be able to do any kind of corruption-irregularity, Khulna should be declared free from terrorism and extortion.

If a policeman gives shelter to a criminal, then he cannot stay in Khulna. Zahurul Islam, a student of Khulna University and one of the coordinators of Khulna, said that the complaints against the police should be corrected quickly and put into the field. The police must play an important role in preventing the terrorist attacks that are going on across the country. Action should be taken against the police officers against whom they have submitted complaints including the OC of Khulna Sadar Police Station. At the same time, the police will quickly enter the field and reform the force. Any form of bullying will not be tolerated here. They will keep the police under observation. Security must be provided to all, regardless of party affiliation. Legal action should be taken against the responsible policemen. They do not want any liaison based administration. What will be the role of the police if a political party comes to power? That too should be clarified by the police.

Zahurul Islam said that a terrorist group is operating in the country. If they can bring down the autocratic ruler Sheikh Hasina, such few terrorists are not a problem for them. Addressing the political party leaders, he said, ‘If you really love the country, want the good of the people of the country, want to develop the people instead of developing yourself, then you should come to the streets. Control traffic shoulder to shoulder with students. Clean up the dirt. Prove that you were in the movement for the country, for ten.

Sajidul Islam, a student of Government Brajlal College, central co-coordinator of the anti-discrimination student movement, said in the discussion meeting, the overzealous police officers of Khulna who are obstructing the logical struggle should be quickly withdrawn and brought under punishment. Chhatra League leaders who aided in the attack and killing of protesting students should be arrested and punished. Inclusion of anti-discrimination student movement students in ward-based policing committee should be ensured. A permanent police camp should be made at Govt Brajlal College. The police administration with the help of the college administration should ensure that the campus is drug and terror free. Those involved in vandalism and looting on the campus should be identified and brought under the law quickly.

Samia Sanjana, one of the coordinators of Khulna Government Women’s College, said that Khulna police cannot work under any particular group. If a student of a national university like a public university is to be arrested, the college administration must be informed. Steps should be taken to ensure that the prices of goods and transport fares are not higher than the prices set by the government.

Omar Farooq, coordinator of Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET), said action should be taken against policemen who got jobs through quota. Quett VC and his loyalists have to voluntarily resign due to strong non-cooperation of the agitating students.

In the meeting, the students highlighted various issues including food quality of Khulna Medical College Hospital, corruption and battery operated rickshaws. Khulna University Students Al Shahriar, Minhajul Islam, Vipul Shahriar, Saif Newaz, Shahabul, Government Azam Khan Commerce College Student Sheikh Rafsan, Tariq Rahman, Brajlal College Student Rumi Akhter, Khulna Medical College Student Mustafa Zayed, Government Pioneer College Student Sabiqun Nahar, Raisa He gave another speech.

At the end of the meeting, KMP Commissioner Mozammel Haque said that general activities have started at the KMP police station. Every month there will be a meeting in KMP with coordinators. First, student representatives will be placed in police station-based policing committees. In a few days there will be representatives of students at the ward level as well. Arrangements will be made immediately to ensure that the victim support center in Khulna is open 24 hours and provides services without any excuse. What happened in the past, happened. Police will no longer behave in a factional or nepotistic manner. A temporary camp will be set up in Brajlal College first and then a permanent camp in a short time. Mozammel Haque said action will be taken ruthlessly against those who are disrupting the law and order situation, irrespective of their party. He also said that action will be taken against the accused policemen after investigation. Apart from the public university, the students of other educational institutions in Khulna, even if they commit wrongdoing, they will be spoken to the head of the institution before their arrest. If brokers are available at Khumek Hospital, mobile courts will be run in consultation with the district administration.