MATS students clash with police in Shahbagh

Students of Dhaka's Medical Assistant Training School (MATS) clashed with police near the Shahbagh area around noon on Thursday, leaving about 30 students injured. [caption id="attachment_64090" align="aligncenter" width="800"] A MATS student vandalises a bus on Thursday, May 18, 2017  Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka Tribune[/caption] The students had set up near the Shaheed Minar to press home their 4-point demands that included access to second-class government jobs and scope for higher education in medical colleges. However, police broke up the demonstration with water cannons when the students attempted to shift to Shahbagh, reported Bangla Tribune. [caption id="attachment_64091" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Police detain one of the protesting MATS students on Thursday, May 18, 2017 Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka Tribune[/caption] Dhaka Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner Mahruf Hossain Sardar said: "The students had wished to submit a petition to the prime minister containing their demands. However, we broke up the demonstration when they tried to shift to the Shahbagh area and travel to the prime minister's office, as they tried to travel in a large group. Ususally, only a small group of representatives submit a petition."