Thousands of students and guardians in Chattogram took to the streets on Thursday, braving police barriers and heavy rains responding to the call of Anti-Discrimination Student Movement for continuing protest.
The protest march started from Andarkilla and paraded key city areas including Terry Bazar, Lal Dighi, Kotwali, and New Market Square, demanding justice for killings and repression.
The rally was organised by the Anti-discrimination Student Movement, led by Khan Talat Mahmud Rafi, who emphasised that the demonstration would persist until their nine-point demand, including justice for victims, are met.
Rafi said, “The movement cannot be halted by killing, arrests, or attacks. If any student is harmed, their entire family and many others will join the protest.”
Despite a heavy police presence in critical city intersections, including Andarkilla, people foiled their efforts to obstruct the march.
Many students confronted the police with chants and slogans, although the police maintained a restrained posture throughout.
The protesters brought out a procession from New Market around 3pm, crossing Station Road, BRTA Intersection, Kadamtali, and finally assembled at Tiger Pass.
The rally, which lasted around 30 minutes, concluded at the WASA intersection at 4pm.
Despite heightened tensions, the presence of over a hundred leaders and activists from the Awami League and Jubo League in front of an Awami League leader’s residence on Damapara Paltan Road did not result in any reported clashes.
Anti-Discrimination Student Movement called for mass processions and prayers for today to condemn the recent violence against students.
Support has poured in from various sectors, including teachers, lawyers, doctors, intellectuals, and cultural figures, each organising their own events to express solidarity with the students.
