Thousands of students protest in Chattogram and Khulna amid rain
Defying heavy rain, thousands of students took to the streets in Chattogram and Khulna today (2 August), demanding justice for what they described as a nationwide genocide.
The protests are part of the ongoing anti-discrimination student movement.
In Chattogram, the protest, titled “Prayer and Mass March of Students and Citizens,” began around 1:45pm at Anderkilla Shahi Jame Mosque.
Despite the downpour, the students marched from Anderkilla to Laldighi and later to the New Market area, where they staged a half-hour demonstration.
The protestors chanted slogans such as “Why did my brother die? We demand answers from the administration,” and “My brother is in the grave, why are the killers free?” The crowd included not just students but also local citizen.
The protestors vowed to continue their movement until justice is served.
“We have taken to the streets to demand justice for the nationwide killings. We will not return home until we achieve it,” one protestor said. Around 2:45pm, the demonstrators moved towards Tigerpass intersection amidst the rain.
Chattogram metropolitan police assistant commissioner Atanu Chakraborty informed the media that around 200 police officers were deployed to monitor the situation but did not interfere with the protest.
In Khulna, students also took to the streets around 3pm to press their nine-point demand.
They chanted slogans condemning the recent violence by police, RAB, and BGB during the quota reform movement. The students initially gathered at Shibbari intersection but were later dispersed by police.
Despite the police intervention, the students regrouped and marched towards Khulna University.
According to the protestors, a progressive rally featuring songs and slogans was planned in front of the university’s main gate at 4pm, organised by former students in solidarity with the movement.
