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Dhaka, May 14, 2025: Police resorted to a lathi-charge on diploma nursing students who had blocked the Shahbagh intersection in the capital, demanding degree status for their diplomas. The incident occurred around 9:00 PM on Wednesday, dispersing the protesters who later regrouped at the Central Shaheed Minar to continue their demonstration.
The nursing students, who had been protesting since morning, initially gathered at the Central Shaheed Minar before marching toward Shahbagh. Despite police barricades near Shahbagh Police Station, the students broke through and occupied the busy intersection, causing severe traffic congestion for nearly six hours. The police action followed after the students reportedly resisted dispersal, leading to a tense situation.
At least 10 students were injured in the lathi-charge, with three admitted to Bangladesh Medical University Hospital and one receiving treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. A student named Abhi Sheikh stated, “We requested 10 minutes from the police to conclude our protest, but they didn’t give us the chance and started the lathi-charge. Many of our brothers and sisters were injured, and three are currently admitted to Bangladesh Medical.”
After the clash, the students relocated to the Central Shaheed Minar, where they held a meeting to decide their next course of action. “We are now at the Shaheed Minar and will announce our next steps after discussion,” Abhi Sheikh added.
The protest caused significant disruption, with commuters and passersby engaging in arguments with the students earlier in the day. Traffic movement in Shahbagh resumed after the police cleared the intersection.
AI/MR
