After being trapped for nearly nine hours inside the Milestone School and College campus in Uttara, Dhaka, two government advisors and the press secretary to the Chief Advisor were finally escorted out under police protection around 7:30 PM on Tuesday, July 22.
They left the campus in police-escorted vehicles through the metro rail depot road after repeated failed attempts earlier in the day to leave due to student protests.
Who Were Trapped?
Those stuck inside the school campus included:
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Law Advisor Dr. Asif Nazrul
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Education Advisor C R Abrar
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Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam
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Deputy Press Secretary Md. Abul Kalam Azad Majumdar
Earlier in the afternoon, they had tried to leave around 3:30 PM, but students blocked their way at the Diabari roundabout and forced them to return to the campus.
Read More: Clash Between Police and Students Outside Secretariat: Around 80 Injured
What Sparked the Protest?
Students began protesting early Tuesday morning, demanding compensation and justice for the victims of the plane crash that occurred the previous day on campus. The crash killed at least 31 people, mostly students.
Around 9:45 AM, Law Advisor Asif Nazrul and Education Advisor C R Abrar arrived to inspect the site. But as soon as students saw them, they began chanting:
“ভুয়া, ভুয়া!”
(“Fake, fake!”)
They also shouted:
“আমার ভাই মরলো কেন, প্রশাসন জবাব চাই!”
(“Why did my brother die? We want answers from the authorities!”)
A Heated Meeting and Tense Moments
Following intense chants and growing tension, the advisors held a meeting with teachers and student representatives. After the meeting, around 12:30 PM, Dr. Asif Nazrul assured:
“সব দাবি মেনে নেয়া হবে”
(“All demands will be accepted.”)
However, as soon as he finished speaking, the angry students rushed toward them. Police quickly intervened and moved the advisors into the school’s conference room.
Outside, students continued shouting:
“লাশ নিয়ে রাজনীতি চলবে না!”
(“No more politics over dead bodies!”)
“উই ওয়ান্ট জাস্টিস!”
(“We want justice!”)
Security Tightened, Protesters Backed Down
By 2:15 PM, students heard that the advisors were preparing to leave. In response, they blocked the main gate. Some also vandalized a police pickup vehicle nearby.
By 3:00 PM, security was ramped up:
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1 platoon of APBN
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Several platoons of DMP’s reserve force
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1 platoon from ATU arrived at the campus.
Eventually, teachers persuaded students to back off. Most students left the area, and by 7:30 PM, the advisors and press officials were able to exit the premises.
Background: The Plane Crash That Shook a Nation
This massive student protest follows the deadly plane crash at Milestone College campus on Monday, which killed 31 people and injured dozens more. Students are demanding accountability, compensation, and resignation of top officials responsible for education and safety.
Source: TBS
