Quota Reform Movement: Govt ready to talk with quota reform protesters, bring forward appeal hearing date
Staff Correspondent
Law Minister Anisul Huq said Thursday the government is ready to sit with the quota reform protesters whenever they are ready, even today, as a countrywide blockade appeared to be fast spiralling out of control.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has also asked the law minister to take steps to hold the hearing in an appeal against the quota system earlier than the scheduled 7 August date, for helping meet the students’ demand at the earliest possible time, Anisul Huq added in a press briefing held at the parliament.
Furthermore, in keeping with the PM’s promise of ensuring justice, the law ministry has proposed Justice Khandaker Diliruzzaman as the head of a judicial probe committee to investigate the deaths during the quota reform protests over the past few days.
Addressing reporters at the National Parliament, Anisul Huq said, "We are ready to sit with them [protest organisers] whenever they want, even today if necessary".
The PM has appointed the law minister and Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury as chief government negotiators for holding discussions with quota reform protest organisers, Anisul Huq said.
Earlier, at 2.45am Thursday, the organisers had said they are ready to hold discussions with the government to resolve the crisis, while simultaneously continuing demonstrations across the country.
The government welcomes this offer of negotiations, Anisul Huq said.
