Candidates clash at Bhola Exam Centre, 7 hurt

At least seven people, including teachers and the governing body president of a college, were injured after HSC candidates allegedly vandalised an examination centre and clashed with authorities in Bhola’s Char Fasson upazila on Saturday.

The incident took place at Fatema Matin Women’s College after examinees expressed dissatisfaction over the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) Information and Communication Technology (ICT) examination, claiming the question paper was difficult and invigilators did not provide necessary assistance.

Police fired several rounds of tear gas to disperse the agitated students and bring the situation under control, according to college authorities.

Mahiuddin Bacchu, acting principal of the college and acting officer of the examination centre management committee, said 884 students appeared in the ICT examination.

He said that shortly after the examination ended at around 1:15pm, more than 200 students gathered at the main gate of the college, chanted slogans and threw eggs inside the campus.

The students later broke open two gates on the northwestern side of the college and entered the premises, where they allegedly vandalised windowpanes of the principal’s office, creating panic among teachers and staff.

Police later intervened and controlled the situation by firing tear gas shells. Local BNP leaders and activists also assisted the administration in restoring order, Bacchu said.

He added that the answer scripts were later transported safely to the post office with assistance from the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO).

Witnesses said many students became frustrated during the examination as they found the ICT question paper difficult and claimed they did not receive cooperation from invigilators.

They staged the protest after the exam and damaged parts of the college premises.

Char Fasson Police Station Officer-in-Charge Farid Al Bhuiyan said police took action after receiving information about the incident and brought the situation under control.

“Legal action will be taken if a formal complaint is filed,” he said.

Char Fasson UNO Rumana Afroze said the students became agitated after finding the question paper difficult and alleging a lack of cooperation from teachers.

“The students created an untoward situation after the examination,” she added.