Advisers leave Milestone after nine-hour confinement

After being stranded for nine hours amid growing public anger, two advisers of the interim government and the chief adviser’s press secretary were evacuated from Uttara’s Milestone School and College under police protection on Tuesday evening.

Law Adviser Asif Nazrul, Education Adviser CR Abrar, and Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam were escorted out of the campus in a vehicle surrounded by law enforcement personnel at around 7:30pm. 

The tense operation came after angry students, parents, and teachers blocked all exits, demanding accountability over the military plane crash that killed 31 students earlier that day.

The convoy carrying the officials exited through the internal road of the Metro Rail depot to avoid the main gate, where crowds had gathered. 

Security forces maintained tight control during the evacuation to ensure their safe departure.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Uttara Division Deputy Commissioner (DC) Md Mohidul Islam confirmed the incident during a press briefing.

He said the advisers had visited the site to inspect the aftermath of the plane crash. 

Later, students presented them with a number of demands. 

Although the officials accepted all the demands, grieving and agitated students blocked the exit roads, preventing the delegation from leaving.

"Despite the acceptances, the emotional crowd continued the blockade, which trapped the officials on campus," DC Mohidul explained. "In the evening, law enforcement personnel intervened and cleared the road after the situation gradually came under control."

He added that following the restoration of order, the two advisers, and members of the Chief Adviser’s press wing were safely escorted out of the premises under police protection.