Milestone Tragedy: Education Secretary Withdrawn, Angry Students Surround Advisers; Tense Situation at Secretariat

The tragic crash of an Air Force training aircraft at Milestone School and College in Uttara, Dhaka, resulting in the death of 31 students and many others injured, has sparked nationwide grief and outrage. Following the incident, the capital city witnessed intense student protests on Tuesday, turning the atmosphere tense.

Information and Broadcasting Ministry adviser Mahfuz Alam confirmed that Senior Secretary of the Education Ministry, Siddiq Zubair, has been withdrawn from his position.

This morning, when legal adviser Asif Nazrul, education adviser C R Abrar, and the chief adviser's press secretary Shafiqul Alam visited the Milestone School, they were met with fierce protests by the students. The students presented six demands to the advisers. Although the legal adviser assured that the demands would be met, the agitation did not subside.

In the afternoon, when the advisers attempted to leave the institution, students blocked their way, forcing them to return. By 4:30 pm, the advisers again took position inside the school, while hundreds of students gathered outside, protesting for their resignation.

Meanwhile, students also gathered in front of the main gate of the Secretariat in the city, demanding the resignation of the education adviser and education secretary. From afternoon onwards, the protesters occupied the area. In response, all entrances to the Secretariat were sealed off, effectively paralyzing the city’s central area.

The situation escalated around 4:45 pm when the enraged students entered the Secretariat premises. Clashes ensued between police, RAB, and the students, with sound grenades and tear gas shells deployed.

A student of Milestone College said,
"Our classrooms are still soaked with the blood of our brothers and sisters. Yet the authorities are busy evading responsibility. We will not return home without justice."

Blaming government negligence and mishandling for the tragedy, students from schools, colleges, and universities across the country are expressing solidarity through protests. On social media, the hashtag #JusticeForMilestoneVictims is trending widely.