Why Did the Awami League's Student Wing Condemn the Interim Government Over Medical Aid for Plane Crash Victims?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Criticism of the interim government’s response
- Significant casualties reported
- Political implications following the tragedy
- Public outrage over inadequate medical aid
- Calls for accountability and transparency
Dhaka, July 22 (NationPress) The Bangladesh Students’ (Chhatra) League, the student faction of the Awami League, has criticized the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus for its inadequate provision of medical assistance to the injured children following a tragic incident where an Air Force training aircraft crashed into a school building in Dhaka.
As reported by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Armed Forces in Bangladesh, a Chinese-made F-7 BGI training aircraft took off at 1:06 pm local time on Monday and subsequently crashed into the Milestone School and College located in Dhaka's Uttara area around 1:30 p.m.
Local news outlets have indicated that at least 22 individuals, predominantly children, have lost their lives, and approximately 171 others sustained injuries by early Tuesday morning due to this unfortunate event.
In a statement, Saddam Hussain, President of the Bangladesh Students' League, expressed, “The government has completely failed to deliver essential medical care to the injured children. The inadequacy of medical supplies, interruptions in treatment, and political disputes have exacerbated the situation, leading to an escalating death toll and profound sorrow. The heart-wrenching cries of the wounded children and their families resonate with unbearable grief.”
“Moreover, there have been evident attempts to downplay the actual casualty figures, aggressive crackdowns on protesting students, hindrances to journalists, and inhumane treatment of bereaved families. Nearly 12 hours have elapsed since the plane crash, yet the government has not disclosed an official death toll. Updates have been conspicuously absent, and the media remains uncharacteristically quiet,” the statement lamented.
Offering their deepest condolences to the victims, the Students’ League remarked, “This deliberate silence and repression have only intensified public sorrow, transforming grief into outrage and despair.”
“The Sheikh Hasina National Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute has become a sanctuary for the injured children. However, the Yunus administration has failed to provide proper treatment by ensuring order, cleanliness, and safety,” they added.
Accusing the Yunus-led interim government, they stated, “Through politicization, control, and corruption within healthcare facilities, and by converting hospitals into political arenas while persecuting medical professionals, the entire healthcare system in the country has been devastated.”
In response to the crash, former Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina conveyed her condolences and called for comprehensive support and responsible actions.
She stated, “The plane crash has triggered a humanitarian crisis in the affected region and its surroundings.” She urged all, including local Awami League leaders, affiliated organization members, and community residents, to come together in cooperation and responsibility to aid in rescue efforts and assist in relocating individuals to safety.