A clash broke out between law-enforcers and students when a group of students forcefully entered the Secretariat premises on Tuesday afternoon at one stage of their intense demonstrations to press home their several demands.
Police fired teargas shells and charged batons to disperse them, witnesses said.
Several vehicles were also vandalised near the Secretariat, one of the Key Point Installations (KPI) areas in the capital.
The protests began around 2:15pm at Gate No. 1, where students gathered and started chanting slogans, including ‘Fake, fake!’, “Why did my brother die? The administration must answer!” and “Action, action, direct action!”
Sources said some of the demonstrators were students who failed this year’s Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations and are demanding a reevaluation of their results.
Others joined from the capital’s Uttara Diabari area, protesting Monday’s crash of an Air Force aircraft into Milestone School and College, which left 31 dead and at least 165 injured.
Meanwhile, another group of students rallied from the Dhaka Education Board office and marched towards the Secretariat, also demanding revaluation for SSC exam failures.
Law enforcement agencies, including police and army personnel, deployed in and around the Secretariat to maintain public order.
Due to the gate closures, vehicles inside the compound are unable to exit, resulting in severe traffic congestion and growing concern among officials and staff.
A group of HSC examinees staged demonstration in front of Secretariat on Tuesday on various demands, including resignation of Education Adviser Prof CR Abrar.
Khalid Mansur, officer-in-charge of Shahbagh Police Station, confirmed the information.
Witnesses said protest began around 2:15pm when several hundred took position at the Secretariat, prompting the authorities to close all entry points to the administrative complex as a security measure.
Earlier in the day, several hundred students from various colleges in Dhanmondi and nearby areas brought out a procession and gathered in front of the Board of Secondary and Higher Education first. They later marched towards the Secretariat.
Barricades were placed in front of the "Shikhya Bhaban", but the students broke through them and gathered in front of the Secretariat.
Security personnel were deployed in and around the area to maintain order.
The students said they were angered by the decision to postpone the exam at 3:00am. They are demanding the resignation of the education adviser and the education secretary over the matter. The students warned of tougher movement if the adviser does not resign within the next 24 hours.
Earlier, students gathered in front of the main gate of the Bangladesh Secretariat on Tuesday afternoon, staging a protest to demand justice for the deaths in the plane crash at Milestone School and college along with various educational reforms.
Around 2:15pm, a group of students marched to the Secretariat and took position in front of Gate No. 1, chanting slogans like "Why did my brother die? The administration must answer" and "Fake, fake!"
Security personnel were seen deployed inside the Secretariat gates to maintain law and order.
All entry gates to the Secretariat have been closed, causing a long line of vehicles inside the premises waiting to exit.
The protest follows the recent crash of a Bangladesh Air Force training aircraft that occurred on the campus of Milestone School and College in Uttara's Diabari area yesterday. The incident left at least 31 dead and several injured and has sparked anger and sorrow among students, leading them to take to the streets.
In addition to those protesting the plane crash, another group of students gathered near the main entrance demanding re-evaluation of SSC exam results. Many students who failed the recent Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations are calling for a reassessment of their scores, claiming unfair evaluation.
The ongoing protests have severely disrupted operations at the Secretariat. With all gates shut, no vehicles have been able to enter or leave, resulting in a heavy traffic jam inside the compound.
