"Loss of Lives in Fighter Jet Crash at Uttara’s Milestone College; Students Call for Peaceful Protest"

A tragic incident involving the crash of a Bangladesh Air Force fighter jet in the Uttara area of the capital, at Milestone School and College, has triggered intense unrest among students and guardians. In response to the incident, students have announced a peaceful protest on Tuesday at 10 AM within the college premises.

The organizers of the protest have stated that the movement will be entirely non-violent, peaceful, and democratic. Under the slogan “We seek justice, not fear,” the students have raised six specific demands, which they intend to present to the authorities.

The six-point demands of the students are as follows:

1. The full names and identities of those who died in the crash must be publicly disclosed.
   
   

2. A complete and accurate list of the injured must be released.
   
   

3. An unconditional and public apology must be issued for the reported assault on teachers at the scene by military personnel.
   
   

4. The families of each deceased student must receive appropriate compensation from the Air Force.
   
   

5. All outdated and unsafe fighter jets used by the Air Force must be decommissioned and replaced with new, safer aircraft.
   
   

6. The training procedures and zones must be redesigned in a way that is both humane and safe.
   
   

The students have emphasized that mere press releases or expressions of regret are not enough. They demand accountability for those responsible, proper respect for the victims, and effective measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the crash occurred on Monday at 1:06 PM, shortly after a Chinese-made FT-7 BGI fighter jet took off from the Kurmitola Air Force base. It crashed into a two-storey building of Milestone College in Uttara. The Fire Service received the alert at 1:18 PM and immediately began rescue operations.

The death toll has risen to 27, with another 78 individuals being treated at various hospitals. So far, the bodies of 20 victims have been handed over to their families.

Although the aircraft was being used for training purposes, a preliminary report suggests the crash may have been caused by mechanical failure.

Students and guardians of Milestone College are demanding a thorough investigation and transparent accountability. Serious concerns have emerged regarding the safety of educational institutions. Many are questioning why risky training flights are conducted over densely populated residential and educational zones.

The future course of the student movement will depend on how authorities respond and whether progress is made toward fulfilling the students' demands.