No difference between interim and previous governments: Michael Chakma

United People's Democratic Front (UPDF) organiser Michael Chakma has claimed there is no difference between the current interim government and its predecessors.

"We thought we would get justice during Muhammad Yunus's government. But after a year, we see that the way Hasina's government and those before it carried out oppression and persecution, there is no difference with the current interim government," he said.

Michael Chakma was speaking while inaugurating an event at Chittagong University yesterday (12 August), organised in front of the university's Intellectual Square to mark the fourth council of the university unit of Revolutionary Students Unity. 

Calling the interim government "not a servant of the people", Chakma said, "In 2010, over 400 houses were burnt down in Sajek. We never got justice for that. The houses were burnt in front of Dipankar Talukder, who is now in prison, and there were corpses before him. We have yet to receive justice for any of this."

"Now Hasina is gone, but the one who came to power after her is following in her footsteps. The rights of the farmers and workers who gave their lives a year ago have not been realised. Those who came to power on the blood of the common people are not here to serve, they are representatives of business interests, in power for their own benefit," he added. 

"The aim of the July uprising was to ensure the basic rights of the state and to make sure that no one can carry out exploitation and persecution over democratic rights. But we have only removed one regime. We must continue our struggle for democratic transformation," he said. 

The event was chaired by Jashod Zakir, convener of the Revolutionary Students Unity's university unit, and conducted by Joint Convener Ramrasain Marma.