July uprising victims end 13hr protest following assurances from advisers
Their demonstration began at 1:30pm
People injured in student-led mass uprising undergoing treatment at the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (NITOR) left the street and ended their demonstration after thirteen-and-a-half hours in the presence of four advisers of the caretaker government.
The strike was called off at 3:00am after four advisers, including Asif Nazrul and Mahfuj Alam, acknowledged the shortcomings and promised to ensure proper treatment.
The more than 50 protesters returned to the hospital at the intervention of the advisers, who also included Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter, Local Government Adviser Asif Mahmud, alongside Special Assistant (Health) Md Sayedur Rahman.
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A meeting will be held at the Secretariat between the advisers and a team representing the injured at 2pm today (14 November). Two vehicles will be sent to bring a delegation from the injured.
The advisers admitted their mistakes and expressed regret. They announced that they would prepare an outline for the treatment and rehabilitation of the injured and implement it by December.
"Now is not the right time to listen to you here. Come to the Secretariat at 2pm tomorrow. An outline will be prepared there based on the discussion. That outline will be implemented by December," Mahfuj said.
"It is our failure, our mistake. But we did not lack in terms of effort...Trust us, we will give a concrete outline, in writing," Asif Nazrul said.
Admitting their shortcomings, Adviser Asif Mahmud said, "We have taken charge in a fragile situation. Many problems have arisen. Let us make an outline based on discussions. You will form a team to see whether it is being implemented properly."
Earlier yesterday, the injured took to the street in front of the hospital, demanding the resignation of Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum.
Their demonstration began at 1:30pm.
The protesters, some in wheelchairs and others on crutches, demanded that the health adviser must step down.
They stated that they would not leave the street or return to the hospital until other advisers from the interim government arrived to hear their grievances.
Police forces were deployed in the area, said Kahandaker Jalal Uddin Mahmud, inspector (investigation) of Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station.
Earlier, Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum and British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cook were forced to leave NITOR while visiting victims of July's mass uprising amid outrage.
Witnesses said the situation turned tense after some of the protesters raised complaints, criticising delays in funds from the July Smriti Foundation, which many had relied upon for medical and other assistance.
With tensions escalating, both the health adviser and High Commissioner Cook attempted to leave the hospital premises. But, the aggrieved patients and their supporters surrounded their vehicle, blocking their departure.
With the assistance of hospital staff and doctors, Nurjahan Begum and Sarah Cook eventually managed to leave the premises.
