Sylhet turns into a battleground

The Jindabazar-Chowhatta area of ​​Sylhet city has turned into a battleground, centring on the protest march called by the anti-discrimination student movement.

As of writing this report at 6:30pm, clashes between the police and the protestors were going on.

Police fired tear-shells at the protesters; in response the protesters pelted brick chips at the police.

Eyewitnesses said that the police threw tear shells at the protestors around 5pm. As a result, the situation became heated. Clash broke out between the two sides.

• Students block roads in anti-discrimination protest in Chittagong

The eyewitness photojournalist said that the clash had spread to Jindabazar, Chowhatta and Ambarkhana.

Earlier on Saturday, the students protested by blocking the Chauhatta-Zindabahar road ignoring the rain. The presence of students increased with time.

As per the pre-announced program, the agitators started gathering in front of the central Shaheed Minar in the Chowhatta area of ​​the city at 12 noon. The gathering gradually increased as students from various educational institutions joined.

Although it was announced to hold a "protest march", the protestors sat on the road instead of the procession. As a result, the traffic on this busy road came to a halt.

They started to chant “bhua, bhua.” At one point, the police retreated.

Although this agenda was given as part of nine-point demand, only one point of the government's resignation was given from Saturday's agenda.

The protestors chanted slogans on this demand. This demand was also written on the placards in their hands.

At 3pm it started to rain heavily. However, the agitators continued the program despite the rain.

According to a source, the police tried to convince the protesters to move off the road.

However, they ignored the police request. According to sources, leaders and activists of various political parties also participated in the student protest.

Sylhet Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner (North) Azbahar Ali Sheikh said that the police are on alert to ensure that no vandalism occurs around the protest march.

 He said that the agitators are staying peacefully, police are also staying peacefully.

Earlier on Saturday at 11am in Sylhet Central Shaheed Minar, a protest rally was held under the banner of parents. They demanded the safety of the students in the rally.