Dhaka, February 9 – Police resorted to baton charges to disperse protesting students from the Assistant Training School (MATS) as they attempted to march towards the Secretariat, demanding the fulfillment of their four-point demands. The confrontation led to several students sustaining injuries.

The protest escalated in the afternoon when the students, determined to press their demands, broke through police barricades. As they reached the High Court area, law enforcement officers chased them down in an effort to block their movement. The situation quickly turned tense as police charged the demonstrators with batons to push them back.

Eyewitnesses reported that as the students continued their march, they encountered heavy police presence near the Education Building. A scuffle broke out between the demonstrators and security personnel, leading to further escalation. As the situation intensified, police officers began using force, striking students with batons and deploying sound grenades to disperse the crowd.

The injured students received assistance from fellow protesters, while many scrambled to avoid the advancing police force. Some students alleged that the authorities used excessive force despite their peaceful demonstration. The atmosphere in the area remained tense as additional police reinforcements arrived to maintain control.

The students have been demanding reforms and improvements in their academic and professional framework, which they claim have been overlooked by the relevant authorities. Their four-point demand includes policy changes to enhance their training conditions and recognition of their qualifications.

Despite the heavy resistance, the protesters vowed to continue their movement until their demands are met. The authorities have yet to issue an official statement addressing the incident or the demands of the students. However, law enforcement officials defended their actions, citing the necessity of maintaining public order and ensuring that protests do not disrupt administrative operations.

The unrest among MATS students has been building for some time, with previous demonstrations receiving limited response from the authorities. This latest confrontation highlights the growing frustration among students over unresolved issues in their academic and professional journey.

As tensions remain high, student leaders have called for further discussions with officials to resolve the crisis. They emphasized the need for constructive dialogue rather than forceful suppression. Meanwhile, rights activists and student organizations have condemned the police action, urging the authorities to address the grievances of the students instead of resorting to violence.

The incident underscores the ongoing struggle between students advocating for their rights and authorities maintaining control over mass demonstrations. The response from policymakers in the coming days will likely determine the direction of the movement and whether a peaceful resolution can be reached.