Students threaten roadblock if govt fails to respond by 12:30pm

Hundreds of students gathered at the roundabout in front of Milestone School and College in Uttara, Dhaka, from 10 a.m. to protest the tragic plane crash on their campus that caused multiple deaths and injuries. Mourning the victims, the students issued six demands and started a peaceful demonstration.

The students warned that if government representatives do not come forward to discuss their demands by 12:30 p.m., they will block the road in front of the Uttara BNS Center as part of their protest.

“We understand the government may not listen to us,” the students said. “We are giving them an ultimatum until 12:30 p.m. If they fail to engage with us, we will block the road. Without such pressure, the government won’t heed our voices.”

Earlier, students held banners and placards reading “We don’t want justice, we want our children’s bodies” and “We demand an accurate count of the dead” while sitting on the road at the roundabout. Despite repeated requests by police to disperse, the students maintained a peaceful sit-in.

The protesters emphasized their peaceful intent but condemned the lack of accountability: “A major tragedy happened, yet no one is taking responsibility, and no action has been taken against those responsible. We demand justice.”

Their six demands include disclosure of the names and addresses of the deceased, an accurate list of the injured, an unconditional apology for misconduct against teachers, compensation for victims, cancellation of unsafe aircraft, and reform of the training process.

The tragedy occurred on Monday (July 21) after 1 p.m., when a Bangladesh Air Force training plane crashed into a Milestone School building in Uttara, causing a fire and resulting in numerous casualties among the students inside.

Rescue operations were promptly launched by the Fire Service, with support from eight local units, the Border Guard Bangladesh, and the military. Injured victims were airlifted to hospitals via Air Force helicopters.

As of Tuesday 8 a.m., the death toll has risen to 27, with 78 others hospitalized and receiving treatment.