Leaders of an ongoing student movement demanding reforms in the country’s polytechnic education system have agreed to hold talks with the government, prompting a temporary relaxation of their planned nationwide rail blockade.
The decision had come following the intervention of the chief adviser and an invitation from the education adviser, the central leadership of the Technical Student Movement Bangladesh said in a statement posted on their Facebook page early on Thursday.
The student leaders, Masfiq Islam and Jubayer Patwari, said in a video message that their next steps would depend on the outcome of the meeting.
“All issues, including our six demands, will be discussed, and a final decision will be taken in the meeting,” Masfiq said. “Until then, all scheduled protests across polytechnic institutes will remain suspended.”
Jubayer, another key representative, claimed certain groups were trying to exploit or discredit the movement.
“Some third parties and ill-intentioned actors are trying to use our movement for their own interests. We urge everyone to remain vigilant and take a clear stance against any unethical provocation,” he said. “We are not against the government. We want to work with them to realise our demands.”
On Wednesday morning, students from polytechnic institutes across the country staged road blockades.
In Comilla, clashes broke out during their protest, with reports of baton charges by police and military personnel leaving at least 35 students injured, reports the daily Samakal.
The protests caused severe traffic disruptions on major highways nationwide.
Though the student body had announced a rail blockade during a press conference the night before, they later called it off in the video statement.
