The Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (BaSaD), and Bangladesh JaSad staged a symbolic 10-minute walkout from the ongoing National Consensus Commission dialogue on Wednesday, protesting the alleged use of force by law enforcement against students and guardians demonstrating over the Milestone School and College tragedy.
The 18th session of the second phase of the national dialogue began at around 11:00 am, with Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Monir Haidar inviting Commission Vice-Chair Prof Ali Riaz to open the discussion.
During the session, CPB General Secretary Ruhin Hossain Prince sharply criticized the recent events, saying, “A heartbreaking incident took place at Milestone School and College. During the protest demanding justice, students, teachers, and guardians were subjected to violence.”
Prince further added, “In the past, we saw such scenes under autocratic regimes. What we witnessed now is a reflection of those dark days. Autocrats often create conspiracies and crises—we know their tactics.”
He also criticized an unnamed government adviser for blaming "autocrats" for Tuesday’s incident. “Back when autocratic Hasina was in trouble, she too used to claim we must be united to confront challenges—and her allies would sit beside her. We’re seeing the same script being played again.”
Prince declared that although the national dialogue is important, the parties could not stay silent in the face of recent repression. “It is not possible to remain here without condemning the incident. That’s why we are walking out for 10 minutes.”
JaSad Standing Committee member Mushtaq Hossain and BaSaD General Secretary Bazlur Rashid Firoz also endorsed the walkout. The delegates returned to the session around 11:25 am.
On Tuesday, students of Milestone School and College staged a protest on campus, demanding a six-point charter including proper investigation, disclosure of victims` identities, and compensation. During the protest, they confined the law adviser, education adviser, and the CA’s press secretary for nearly nine hours. Clashes broke out when police tried to intervene.
Later that day, a group of students entered the Secretariat demanding the resignation of the two advisers.
A violent clash ensued when police and military personnel used batons to disperse them, leaving at least 20 injured from both sides.
