Health Minister hands over appointment letter to Siddiqur

Senior Correspondent: Health and Family Welfare Minister Mohammad Nasim on Wednesday handed over an appointment letter to Siddiqur Rahman, a student of Government Titumir College who lost his eyesight during a student movement in the capital's Shahbagh area on July 20.

State minister for health, health secretary and Siddiqur’s mother and brother were present during this time at the secretariat.

Nasim said Siddiqur will work as a telephone operator in Essential Drugs Company, the state-owned firm. Initially, he will get TK 13,000 as basic salary and other facilities. He will get TK 23,000 as basic salary and other facilities after a year when his job will be permanent.

Expressing good feeling after handing over the appointment letter to Siddiqur, the health minister said, “We feel good as we have been able to offer a job to Siddiqur. He will face no problem to perform his job although he has no eyes.”

Siddiqur sustained injuries in his eyes during a demonstration on July 20 when students of seven government colleges, affiliated with the University of Dhaka, gathered at Shahbagh, demanding that their exam dates and routine be announced in time.

While dispersing the protesters, a policeman shot a teargas canister directly at some agitating students. A video footage of the incident shows Siddiqur collapsed on the street instantly.

Siddiqur was taken to Chennai for better treatment with the supervision of the Health Ministry on July 27.

risingbd/Dhaka/Sept 13, 2017/Noimuddin/Amirul