Rangpur: The anti-discrimination student movement held a rally today to protest against the discrimination due to the non-appointment of any adviser from Rangpur division in the interim government. The rally was arranged in front of Press Club here. Student coordinators Imran Ahmed, Nahid Hasan Khandker, Yasir Arafat, Imtiaz Imti, Sajjad Hossain, Hamim Muntasir Ahon, Dr Jamil and Muhammad Rajimuzzaman Hriday addressed the rally. According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the student leaders called upon the Chief Adviser to immediately address all regional discrimination, specifically the absence of advisers from Rangpur division. They issued a warning that if their demands are not met, a larger movement, including the 'North Bengal Blockade' program, will be initiated. The students demanded that at least 10 individuals from North Bengal, including former social service secretary of Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) Akhtar Hossain, should be included in the interim government's advisory council . They emphasized that the people of greater Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions would be compelled to protest if the discrimination against North Bengal, associated with the historical struggle of Shaheed Abu Sayeed, persists. The coordinators expressed their disappointment, recalling that the Chief Adviser, after forming the interim government, visited Rangpur and pledged to eliminate regional disparities and advance the Rangpur division. However, they noted that the current situation is vastly different from those promises.
