Dhaka, July 22 -- The situation around the Secretariat returned to normal Tuesday evening, after hours of tense standoff and repeated clashes between protesting students and law enforcement personnel.

Students from several colleges in the capital began gathering near Gate No. 1 of the Secretariat in the afternoon, demanding the resignation of Education Adviser CR Abrar. At one point, the demonstrators broke the main gate and entered the premises, allegedly vandalising property inside, UNB reports.

Police responded by firing tear gas and sound grenades in multiple rounds and carried out baton charges to disperse the students. As the clashes intensified, the protesters retreated towards the Gulistan National Stadium Market area, leading t...