A series of clashes have been erupted in the capital on Tuesday afternoon as students protesting in front of the Bangladesh Secretariat demanded resignation of the interim government’s education adviser and senior ministry officials.
Later, the demonstration escalated into violence, leaving at least 40 students injured.
The conflict began around 4 PM when a group of student protesters broke through the main gate of the Secretariat and vandalized several government vehicles. In response, law enforcement officers resorted to baton charges, dispersing the crowd toward the Gulistan and Education Board areas.
Tensions flared further near the National Stadium in Gulistan around 5 PM, where students hurled stones at the police. Security forces retaliated with sound grenades and tear gas shells, forcing the protesters to scatter into the narrow alleys near Baitul Mukarram Mosque.
Earlier in the day, students from several Dhaka colleges — including Dhaka College, City College, and Ideal College — had rallied at Science Lab and marched toward the Education Ministry. Their demands included the resignation of Education Adviser Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar C.R. Abrar and Senior Secretary Siddiq Zobaer over recent policy decisions they claim are unjust and negligent.
Eyewitnesses reported that students chanted slogans such as “Why did my brother die? The administration must answer!” and “Fraud, fraud!” as they gathered at Gate No. 1 of the Secretariat around 2:30 PM.
Students claimed police initially promised that government representatives would speak with them within 20 minutes. However, when no officials arrived, tensions escalated, leading to physical scuffles with security personnel.
According to Inspector Md Faruk, in-charge of the Dhaka Medical College Hospital police outpost, at least 40 injured students were brought to the hospital and treated at the emergency unit.
Among the injured were--- Ashiq, 19, Rakibul Hasan, 21, Asad Ahmed, 18, Hasan, 18, Afsana, 18, Mugdha, 19, Antor, 20, Shakil, 23, Shawon, 19, Tansin, 20, Siam, 18, Mahim, 18, Redwan Islam, 20, Hasib, 18, and Nehal, 20, among others.
Following the police action, many students regrouped at Zero Point and near the Education Board, continuing their protest.
This is part of a larger wave of youth-led demonstrations demanding accountability and reforms in the education sector under the interim administration.
