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At least 90 people were injured in clashes between students and law enforcement outside the Secretariat in the capital on Tuesday, as students protested the recent Air Force fighter jet crash at Milestone School and College and the sudden postponement of the HSC exam schedule announced at 3:00 am.
The violence erupted in the afternoon, with injured students and a journalist admitted to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) by around 5:30 pm.
Inspector Md Faruk Hossain, in charge of the police camp at DMCH, confirmed that 89 students and one journalist received treatment. The incident has been reported to the relevant police station.
Earlier, students had demanded the resignation of the education adviser. Tensions escalated when students attempted to enter the Secretariat premises. Law enforcement responded with baton charges and tear gas after students reportedly broke open the Secretariat gate.
Several Secretariat staff alleged that students entered the compound and vandalised vehicles near the Home and LGRD ministries. However, students denied breaking the gate, claiming Gate No. 1 was opened for them. They acknowledged one vehicle was damaged, but only after the situation deteriorated. Farhan Islam, a student of Lalbagh Model College, said, "We were protesting peacefully, but the police hit me with a gun's butt and crushed my leg."
Polash, a student of Dhaka Residential Model College, added, "We went inside the Secretariat to share our demands and talk to authorities, but the police started beating us with sticks. Some Secretariat staff also joined in. Many of us were injured."
Tanoy, a City College student, said, "I went with my mother to take the exam, but on the way, I heard it was postponed. That made many students very angry."
The protest also drew participation from students who failed the SSC exam, demanding a review of their results. Following the clashes near the Secretariat, protests spread to Gulistan, Jatrabari, and other parts of the country.
In the afternoon, the education secretary resigned amid the ongoing unrest. At the time of filing this report at 8:30 pm, students were continuing their demonstrations.
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