At Least 16 Injured as Protesting HSC Candidates Clash with Workers

At least 16 people, including students and transport workers, were injured in violent clashes across two districts on Tuesday as the countrywide student movement demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Hoque Milon intensified.

The clashes erupted around noon in Dinajpur and Barishal following disputes over road blockades and the alleged vandalism of passenger buses by demonstrating Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) candidates.

In Dinajpur, the confrontation began around 12:30 PM at the Nimnagar Phulbari Bus Stand area. Protesting students had blocked major roads and railway tracks to register their protest against the education minister.

The situation turned violent when local transport workers confronted the students, accusing them of vandalizing passenger buses during the blockade. The subsequent clash left at least eight individuals from both sides injured.

The protests severely disrupted regional transport. The Dhaka-bound intercity Panchagarh Express, which departed from Panchagarh and was scheduled to leave Dinajpur Station at 2:10 PM, remained stranded at the platform due to the blockade on the tracks. Long queues of vehicles were seen on both sides of the highway, creating tailbacks stretching several kilometers.

Speaking on the development, Dinajpur Kotwali Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Nournobi stated:

"We are actively negotiating with the protesting students. Our efforts to convince them to withdraw the blockade and restore normal traffic flow are ongoing."

A similar clash broke out at the Rupatali Bus Stand area in Barishal at around 1:45 PM. Transport workers alleged that demonstrating students vandalized a passenger bus belonging to 'Rahi Enterprise.'

In protest of the alleged vandalism, transport workers parked several buses crosswise on the main road near the Rupatali Bus Stand, completely blocking vehicular movement. This led to a direct face-off and subsequent physical clash between the workers and students, leaving five students and three transport workers injured.

The blockades in both districts have brought highway travel to a virtual standstill, causing immense distress to ordinary commuters. As of late Tuesday afternoon, tense standoffs between the students and transport workers were still reported in both areas, with law enforcement trying to defuse the situations.