On July 31 2024, police and university students clashed in the Subid Bazar area of Sylhet city.

In the morning on July 31, students from multiple universities gathered at the gate of Shahjalal University for a “March for Justice,” demanding justice for quota reform movement protesters killed by police and other government supporters. Police initially attempted to prevent students from gathering, and the group, which grew to over one thousand students, began marching, holding signs including “Down with dictatorship,” “Who will account for the corpses, which quota will they be buried in,” and “Take your quota, give me back my brother.”

As the students reached the Subid Bazar area, police used tear gas and sound grenades to disperse them. Students threw pieces of brick at police.

Scholars at Risk is concerned about the use of force during a student protest. While state authorities have the responsibility to maintain order and prevent disruption, they must refrain from the disproportionate use of force and endangerment of civilians and must respect the right to freedom of association and freedom of expression. Students and members of the public must refrain from violence, especially on campus, and also respect the right to freedom of association and freedom of expression. Such actions, beyond harming the immediate victims, have a chilling effect on academic freedom.

Sources:
*SAR identified this incident in data made publicly available by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED)
https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/march-justice-police-lob-teargas-sound-grenades-protesters-sylhet-907036
https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/nation/353212/police-disrupt-students-march-for-justice-in
https://www.unb.com.bd/category/Bangladesh/march-for-justice-police-lob-sound-grenade-tear-shells-to-disperser-protesters-in-sylhet/140060
https://bangladeshcentre.org.uk/2024/07/31/shahjalal-university-students-march-in-sylhet-despite-police-obstruction/