Milestone tragedy: Guardians demand Tk 7cr compensation per student
Grieving guardians of the students and teachers who died in the Milestone School and College plane crash have demanded Tk 7 crore in compensation for each family of the deceased, Tk 5 crore from the government and Tk 2 crore from the school authorities.
They also demanded Tk 2 crore per injured student, split equally between Tk 1 crore from the government and Tk 1 crore from the school.
The demands were made during a press briefing held at the entrance of the school’s administrative building on Sunday, August 17, afternoon.
The guardians had planned to submit an eight-point memorandum to the college principal and advisory body. However, their attempt was thwarted when school authorities refused to accept the document in the presence of the press, citing concerns over “chaos” and lack of prior coordination.
Eight-point demands
The guardians’ demands include:
A fair, independent investigation and trial into the plane crash.
An immediate ban on coaching operations in all educational institutions, including Milestone School.
Tk 5 crore compensation from the government for each child killed, and Tk 1 crore for each injured student.
A fine of Tk 2 crore from the school for each child killed and Tk 1 crore for each injured.
The relocation of the school or, alternatively, the relocation of the flight runway to prevent future tragedies.
The removal within 72 hours of Khadija, the branch head and alleged main promoter of the coaching business, followed by a fair trial.
Full access to the school’s CCTV footage from the day of the crash.
Relocation of Air Force training exercises to uninhabited areas.
Denied access despite prior permission
The guardians claimed they had obtained prior permission to enter the campus at around 12:00 noon. However, they were blocked by security personnel at the gate.
Undeterred, they forcibly entered the premises and proceeded to the conference room, where they waited for senior officials, including the principal and teachers, but received no response.
“We came with permission and wanted to submit our memorandum in the presence of journalists so that the authorities could publicly acknowledge our demands and give us assurances,” said one parent. “But they showed no interest in engaging with us.”
As no school official appeared to accept the memorandum, the guardians ultimately left without submitting it.
Growing anger over coaching and safety
The tragedy has reignited public outrage over the commercialisation of education and the proximity of schools to flight paths. Parents allege that students were pressured into private coaching run by school staff, and that safety concerns were ignored.
With emotions still raw, the guardians vowed to continue their protest until their demands for justice, accountability, and systemic reform are met.