Police disrupted the ‘March for Justice’ organized by students in Sylhet as part of the anti-discrimination student movement. When students tried to proceed despite the obstruction, police used sound grenades and tear gas shells to disperse them. The incident occurred at noon on Wednesday in the Subidbazar area of Sylhet city. No immediate reports of casualties were available.
According to eyewitnesses and participating students, the march was organized to protest nationwide student killings, mass arrests, attacks, enforced disappearances, and murders, and to demand a United Nations investigation for justice. Students began gathering on the university campus around 11 AM and then positioned themselves at the main gate of the university. Police were present in the university area and asked the students to leave. However, around 12 PM, the students started marching towards Sylhet city.
By 12:30 PM, the students reached Subidbazar intersection, where police blocked their way. The students remained on the Subidbazar road for some time. At one point, an altercation and scuffle occurred between the students and the police. The students broke through the police barricade and continued marching. Suddenly, police stationed on the roadside started firing sound grenades and tear gas shells. The students retaliated by throwing bricks and stones. Eventually, the students were dispersed. As of 2 PM, scattered groups of students were reported to be heading towards Court Point in Sylhet city.
Sylhet Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner (North) Azbahar Ali Sheikh told Prothom Alo that the protesters attacked the police, throwing bricks and stones at them. Subsequently, the police fired tear gas shells and shotgun rounds to disperse the crowd.
