Staff Correspondent:

Law enforcers have charged batons and fired tear gas cannisters to drive out the students, who entered the Secretariat breaking open the entrance during their protest over various demands, including the resignation of the education adviser and secretary.

As of 5:25pm, around 40 of the injured in and around the Secretariat were brought to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), reported our correspondent from the spot.

Both sides hurled brick chunks at each other, leaving at least 15 injured, our correspondent reports from the spot.

The injured were being transported to different hospital with rickshaws, auto-rickshaws and rickshaw vans.

Besides, several vehicles were vandalised inside and in front of the Secretariat.

Earlier, students started demonstrating in front of the Secretariat around 2:15pm. After one and a half hour, a section of protesting HSC examinees broke open Gate 1 of the Secretariat and entered the premises.

The law enforcers drove the students away from the surrounding area of the Secretariat.

A chase and counter chase were going on as of filing the report around 5:15pm.

Witnesses said protest began around 2:15pm when several hundred took position at the Secretariat, prompting the authorities to close all entry points to the administrative complex as a security measure.

Earlier in the day, several hundred students from various colleges in Dhanmondi and nearby areas brought out a procession and gathered in front of the Board of Secondary and Higher Education first. They later marched towards the Secretariat.

Barricades were placed in front of the “Shikhya Bhaban”, but the students broke through them and gathered in front of the Secretariat.

Law enforcers and army personnel were deployed in and around the area to maintain order.

The students said they were angered by the decision to postpone the exam at 3:00am. They are demanding the resignation of the education adviser and the education secretary over the matter. The students warned of tougher movement if the adviser does not resign within the next 24 hours