Will Families of Bangladesh Jet Crash Victims Escalate Protests?
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Synopsis
In a poignant situation, the families of victims from the Bangladesh Air Force jet crash are vowing to escalate protests if their demands for justice and a thorough investigation are not met. Their heartfelt pleas reflect the deep loss and the urgent need for accountability in this tragic incident.
Key Takeaways
- Urgent demands for justice from families of crash victims.
- Call for an investigation into the incident.
- Protest formed by families at Milestone School.
- Accusations against a teacher for physical altercation.
- Over 34 casualties reported from the crash.
Dhaka, Aug 12 (NationPress) Relatives of those affected by the tragic crash of a Bangladesh Air Force fighter jet in Dhaka have signaled their intention to escalate protests if the investigation continues to stall, if justice is not served, or if their demands are not acted upon promptly.
The warning was made on Tuesday following the formation of a human chain by the victims' families at the Milestone School and College campus in Dhaka, where they voiced their eight-point demand, as reported by local media.
"Today, we did not come to engage in conflict. We came to create a human chain. Not a single teacher from the school approached us. We are bereaved parents. No one came forward to say, 'Let’s have a conversation'," quoted Bangladesh’s leading Bengali daily Prothom Alo from the protesting parents.
Furthermore, the parents accused a teacher of engaging in physical confrontation with them during the formation of the human chain, prompting them to add an additional demand for the removal of the involved teacher.
The families' demands encompass a thorough investigation into the incident and assurance of justice; a ban on the coaching business in all educational institutions nationwide, including Milestone School; relocating educational facilities away from runways; compensation for the deceased and injured; and the removal and trial of head teacher Khadija within a 72-hour timeframe.
They also called for the authorities to provide access to the school's CCTV footage and relocate Air Force training to uninhabited areas.
"The children who perished here were all engaged in coaching... A significant portion of the coaching goes to them; they receive substantial financial compensation... I doubt there’s as much pressure for coaching as there is in this school," stated the mother of one of the deceased.
“Teachers often say your child is not performing in class. They mentally torture him in various ways, compelling him to attend coaching sessions," expressed Mohammad Abu Shahin, the father of the late student Borhan Uddin Bappi.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media branch of the nation’s Armed Forces, the Bangladesh Air Force's Chinese-manufactured F-7 BGI training aircraft took off at 1:06 p.m. (local time) on July 21 and tragically crashed into the Milestone School and College building in Dhaka's Uttara around 1:30 p.m.
Reports indicate that over 34 individuals, primarily children, lost their lives, and many others were injured in this heartbreaking incident.
Point of View
It is imperative that we approach the situation with empathy and a commitment to justice. The families of the victims deserve transparency and accountability, and we must support their quest for answers and reforms in the educational system that put their children at risk.
NationPress
19/08/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main demands of the families?
The families are demanding a thorough investigation, justice for the victims, a ban on coaching businesses in schools, and immediate action against the head teacher.
What incident prompted these protests?
The protests were sparked by the tragic crash of a Bangladesh Air Force fighter jet into the Milestone School building.
How many people were affected by the crash?
Reports indicate that over 34 individuals, primarily children, lost their lives due to the crash.
What actions did the families take during the protest?
The families formed a human chain at the Milestone School and raised their eight-point demand for justice.
What has been the response from the authorities?
The authorities have yet to respond adequately to the families' demands, prompting threats of larger protests.
