Staff Reporter :
The US State Department has expressed solidarity with students affected by the assault from the ruling Awami League’s student wing, Chhatra League, on various educational campuses across the country, including Dhaka University, on Monday.
In a press briefing, the State Department claimed that two individuals were killed and hundreds injured due to the violence on campuses.
“We are aware of and are monitoring reports of widespread student protests in Dhaka and around Bangladesh that have killed two and attacked and injured hundreds,” said State Department spokesperson Mathew Miller.
Highlighting the importance of democracy, he added, “The freedom of expression and peaceful assembly are essential building blocks of any thriving democracy, and we condemn any violence against peaceful protesters. Our thoughts are with those who have been impacted by this.”
In reaction to the Department’s remarks, the Foreign Ministry of Bangladesh expressed disappointment over Mathew Miller’s comments. “We are extremely disappointed by the response of Mathew Miller.
He made unsubstantiated claims of at least two deaths from the ongoing student protests in Bangladesh,” the ministry stated.
The ministry further emphasized that the use of unverified information to make such claims can fuel violence and undermine the Bangladesh government’s efforts to maintain a peaceful environment for non-violent protests.
