Dhaka: Police on Wednesday foiled a students’ bid to lay siege to the health directorate at Mohakhali in Dhaka demanding fresh entrance examinations in medical colleges.

At least 15 people were injured as police clashed with the students, charged batons on the protesters, used pepper spray and assaulted female students.  

As per the schedule, the protesters were marching towards Mohakhali at about 2:00pm and police intercepted them at Kawranbazar.

A chase and counter-chase took place in the area prompting the police to detain 15 people from the spot who were set free after a while.

The admission seekers gathered at Central Shaheed Minar at about 12:00 noon, and took position at Shahbagh at about 12:30pm, disrupting traffic on the roads around the area.

Students of Dhaka Medical College, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) and various private medical colleges joined the protest programme.

Besides, Progressive Students’ Alliance, a combine of left-leaning students’ organisations, also joined the programme.

The medical admission seekers have been on a movement since September 18 demanding the cancellation of the admission tests and taking fresh entrance exams for MBBS and BDS alleging question paper leak.