Families of Milestone School Crash Victims Demand Tk 70 Million Compensation Per Student

Families of the victims of the recent aircraft crash involving students and teachers from Milestone School and College in Uttara have demanded Tk 70 million (Tk 7 crore) in compensation for each deceased individual. The parents have urged the Bangladesh government to provide Tk 50 million (Tk 5 crore) and the school authorities to pay Tk 20 million (Tk 2 crore) per victim’s family.

In a press briefing held on Sunday afternoon at the entrance of the school’s administrative building, the grieving parents also demanded compensation of Tk 20 million (Tk 2 crore) — Tk 10 million (Tk 1 crore) each from the government and the school — for every injured student.

Earlier, when the families attempted to submit a memorandum containing their demands to the school principal and advisor, the administration reportedly refused to accept it.

The Parents Presented Eight Demands:

1. A thorough investigation into the aircraft crash and exemplary punishment for those responsible.
2. Immediate ban on commercial coaching practices in all educational institutions, including Milestone.
3. Tk 50 million compensation from the government for each deceased student and Tk 10 million for each injured student.
4. Tk 20 million compensation from the school for each deceased family and Tk 10 million for each injured student.
5. Relocation or alternative arrangements for all educational institutions situated near airport runways.
6. Dismissal and trial of the school’s head teacher Khadija within 72 hours over allegations of commercial coaching.
7. Public release of CCTV footage from the school.
8. Relocation of air force training activities to uninhabited areas.

The parents claimed they had prior permission to enter the campus and submit the memorandum, but were blocked by security personnel at the entrance. After forcing their way into the conference room, they were still denied the opportunity to officially submit the document in the presence of journalists.

Among those present were the mother of deceased student Afia, Fatema's uncle, Faiza's father, and Tanvir Ahmed's father, along with 12 to 15 other family members.

Speaking to the press in the afternoon, the school’s Public Relations Officer, Shah Bulbul, said, “We had requested a delegation of three to four people to submit the memorandum. However, when many parents entered together, the situation became chaotic.”

He added that the school authorities sympathize with the families and will review their demands for further consideration.