TDS Desk:

The protesting students said that despite suspending academic and administrative activities for three months, their demands have not been met

Under the banner of the “General MATS Students Unity Council,” a group of students began a protest on Wednesday in Karwan Bazar, Dhaka, before moving to block the Shahbagh intersection over unmet demands.

At around 10:40am, students from the Medical Assistant Training Schools (MATS) started their demonstration on one side of the main road under the Karwan Bazar metro rail station.

Then at about 11:15am, the students gathered in front of the National Museum at Shahbagh for a rally.

Before 1pm, they had blocked the Shahbagh intersection, halting traffic in the area.

The protesting MATS students said that despite suspending academic and administrative activities for three months, their demands have not been met.

This led them to take to the streets with their four-point demands.

The students are demanding immediate recruitment for vacant 10th-grade positions and the creation of new positions in both government and private sectors.

They also seek a revised course curriculum and a name change of the institution to “Medical Institute.”

Additionally, they call for the cancellation of the proposed “Allied Health Professional Board” and the formation of an independent “Medical Education Board of Bangladesh.”

Lastly, they demand opportunities for higher education in clinical subjects, meeting international standards and being recognized by the BMDC.

Shahbagh police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Khalid Mansur said efforts are being made to negotiate with the protesters and convince them to clear the intersection.

However, the protesters are not willing to listen, he added.