Police Baton-Charge Protesters Outside Parliament
Photo taken from video
Police baton-charged protesters gathered outside the National Parliament Tuesday evening. The incident took place around 6:30 pm, forcing the protesters to disperse from the area.
Asked about the incident, Ramna Division Deputy Commissioner (DC) Zahid, who was at the scene, said, "This area is not under my jurisdiction. It falls under Tejgaon Police Station. I cannot comment on the matter."
About 20 to 25 minutes after the baton charge, the protesters regrouped and resumed their sit-in outside the Parliament building.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Shiblu, a student of Ideal College, said, "At first, we were told to send a few representatives inside. As soon as we sent 15 representatives, they attacked us."
Earlier Tuesday, students blocked the road at the Science Lab intersection in the capital, demanding the resignation of Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon and pressing three key demands. They later staged demonstrations in front of Dhaka University and the Dhaka Education Board.
At around 3:40 pm, the protesters returned to the Science Lab intersection. After issuing an ultimatum demanding the education minister's resignation, they marched toward the Parliament building at about 5:30 pm. They gathered in front of Gate No. 2 around 6 pm, where police baton-charged them about half an hour later.
Students also staged protests throughout the day in Uttara. Demonstrations were also held in Chattogram, Rajshahi, Cumilla, and several other districts over the same demands.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters during the demonstration at Science Lab, City College examinee Md. Miraj Hossain said, "The education minister must resign by this evening and apologize to the nation for his inconsistent remarks."
The students also demanded that authorities retake the examination held under uncomfortable conditions on July 13 and make alternative arrangements for those who were unable to sit for it. They further called for Wednesday's examination to be postponed, a revised examination schedule to be published, and the question papers to be made more student-friendly.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Farhan Sadid of Tejgaon College said, "The education minister must resign by 7 pm today. Whoever becomes the new education minister should postpone tomorrow's examination. For now, our primary demand is the education minister's resignation."
