The minister said these things in response to questions from journalists at a press briefing on contemporary issues held at the meeting room of the Ministry of Home Affairs this afternoon.
The minister said, no demand or malpractice that undermines the quality of education in the country will be tolerated. The suffering of the people due to student movements in some spots is instigated by certain quarters engaged in attempts to embarrass the government. Even many among the protesters are not actual examinees or students. He clarified that students who could not participate in the postponed examinations of the Chittagong Education Board due to inclement weather have been given the opportunity to retake the exams. Additionally, the Ministry of Education has formed an investigation committee to look into the errors in the Physics question paper and has announced the provision of appropriate credits to the affected students. As a result, the actual examinees are satisfied with this decision. He termed the images and videos circulating on social media of police using force against students as 'disinformation' or propaganda.
Regarding the progress of bringing back fugitive defendants from abroad, the minister informed that based on Interpol's Red Notice, a total of four defendants have been arrested, including one in the UAE and three in India. Among them are defendants in the murder case of Shahid Osman Sharif Hadi. He said, following a request from the UAE government, the necessary legal documents and copies of warrants were sent within just three days. He further said that the process of quickly bringing back the defendants detained in India is ongoing according to the existing extradition treaty with that country. Although India is taking some time due to illegal entry cases in local courts, extradition of the defendants is possible even while the cases are ongoing under the treaty.
Regarding the list of martyrs of the July-August student mass uprising, the minister said that due to the disappearance of many documents from hospitals, obstruction of treatment, and concealment of bodies on the eve of the fall of the autocratic government, complications arose in determining the actual number. Although the UN report states the number of martyrs is around 1,400, the government believes this number is over 2,000. Currently, the process of confirming the identities of the missing is ongoing through DNA tests and searches for mass graves, which will further increase the number of documented martyrs. The government has so far prepared specific gazettes and lists of over 15,000 martyrs and injured, and the injured are being categorized into three classes—A, B, and C—to provide medical and other assistance.
In response to a question regarding the upcoming local government elections, the minister said, considering the monsoon weather, the final schedule for local government elections, including Union Parishads, will be determined through a joint meeting with the Local Government Minister around September-October. He said the government is fully aware of the country's law and order situation and is committed to meeting public expectations.
