HSC agitators withdraw roadblocks, poised to unveil fresh ultimatum soon
Photo taken from video footage.
After nearly ten hours of demonstrations, protesting HSC examinees have suspended their street blockade and cleared the roads. However, they remain firm in their demand for the resignation of Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Hoque Milan. The protesters stated that they will announce new programs later tonight (Tuesday) regarding this matter.
The announcement was made by the protesters around 9:30 PM on Tuesday in front of the National Parliament Building. Following their departure, traffic movement on the road returned to normal.
Earlier in the day, around 11:45 AM, the students gathered at the capital's Science Lab intersection and presented a three-point demand. In the evening, they marched from there toward the National Parliament. When they blocked the road in front of the parliament building, traffic on Manik Mia Avenue came to a halt.
During the blockade, police requested the students to clear the road. However, as they refused to leave, tensions escalated between both sides, leading to a chase and counter-chase. Protesters alleged that several students were injured due to a police baton charge.
Later, police cleared the students from the area in front of the parliament building, after which they took up positions near the Aarong intersection at Asadgate. At this point, some agitated students threw brickbats at the police. In response, police chased them again, forcing the students to move from Manik Mia Avenue and gather at the Asadgate intersection.
Despite this, the protest did not stop. The students continued their sit-in program until late into the night, chanting slogans in favor of their demands. They reiterated their calls for postponing the HSC exams until the disaster situation ends, arranging re-examinations for students who could not attend the July 13 exams due to hostile weather, and the resignation of Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Hoque Milan.
Around 9:30 PM, Miraj, a student from City College, announced the suspension of the day's program on behalf of the protesters. He said that their movement would continue until the Education Minister resigns, but they were wrapping up their activities for the day.
Regarding tomorrow's plans, he said they would make a decision tonight and announce the upcoming program, which might include a long march either toward the parliament building or the Education Ministry.
