Wednesday, 27 August, 2025
Police have filed a case against as many as 1,200 unnamed individuals—mostly students—on charges including rioting, vandalism, and attempted murder of law enforcers during violent clashes at the Secretariat on Tuesday.
The unrest was triggered by public outrage over the Bangladesh Air Force jet crash at Milestone School and College in Diabari, which killed 29 people—mostly children—and injured 68 others. Students were further angered by what they described as the Ministry of Education’s delayed and inadequate response in the aftermath.
Sub-Inspector Golam Mukti Mahmud of the Secretariat Security Division lodged the case late Tuesday night.
According to the complaint, protesters broke through police barricades, attacked law enforcement and paramilitary personnel with sticks and bricks, and damaged government vehicles. Police said the students, joined by what they described as “miscreants,” stormed the Secretariat compound during the confrontation.
A Dhaka court accepted the case on Wednesday and instructed police to submit an investigation report by August 28.
The protest erupted a day after the tragic crash, and on Tuesday—declared a national day of mourning—the Ministry of Education issued a last-minute notice at around 3am postponing scheduled public exams. Many students, unaware of the early morning announcement, had already left for exam centres by dawn, sparking widespread confusion and anger.
By Tuesday afternoon, students from institutions including Dhaka College, City College, and Adamjee Cantonment College gathered near the Secretariat. They breached the compound’s main gate and clashed with security forces, who responded with tear gas and sound grenades to disperse the crowd.
At least 66 injured students received treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
Protesters called for the resignation of Education CR Abrar and Education Secretary Siddique Zobair, holding them responsible for what they called a “chaotic and insensitive” handling of the post-crash crisis.
As of Wednesday evening, no arrests had been made. However, police said they were reviewing CCTV footage to identify and detain those involved. The charges include unlawful assembly, obstruction of government duties, attempted murder, and destruction of public property.
Comments
Police have filed a case against as many as 1,200 unnamed individuals—mostly students—on charges including rioting, vandalism, and attempted murder of law enforcers during violent clashes at the Secretariat on Tuesday.
The unrest was triggered by public outrage over the Bangladesh Air Force jet crash at Milestone School and College in Diabari, which killed 29 people—mostly children—and injured 68 others. Students were further angered by what they described as the Ministry of Education’s delayed and inadequate response in the aftermath.
Sub-Inspector Golam Mukti Mahmud of the Secretariat Security Division lodged the case late Tuesday night.
According to the complaint, protesters broke through police barricades, attacked law enforcement and paramilitary personnel with sticks and bricks, and damaged government vehicles. Police said the students, joined by what they described as “miscreants,” stormed the Secretariat compound during the confrontation.
A Dhaka court accepted the case on Wednesday and instructed police to submit an investigation report by August 28.
The protest erupted a day after the tragic crash, and on Tuesday—declared a national day of mourning—the Ministry of Education issued a last-minute notice at around 3am postponing scheduled public exams. Many students, unaware of the early morning announcement, had already left for exam centres by dawn, sparking widespread confusion and anger.
By Tuesday afternoon, students from institutions including Dhaka College, City College, and Adamjee Cantonment College gathered near the Secretariat. They breached the compound’s main gate and clashed with security forces, who responded with tear gas and sound grenades to disperse the crowd.
At least 66 injured students received treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
Protesters called for the resignation of Education CR Abrar and Education Secretary Siddique Zobair, holding them responsible for what they called a “chaotic and insensitive” handling of the post-crash crisis.
As of Wednesday evening, no arrests had been made. However, police said they were reviewing CCTV footage to identify and detain those involved. The charges include unlawful assembly, obstruction of government duties, attempted murder, and destruction of public property.
Comments
