At least five candidates for the 47th BCS written exam were injured in a clash with police when they tried to march towards the Jamuna in Dhaka on Tuesday evening.

The injured are Md. Shahin, 28, Ashikur Rahman, 29, Shakil Ahmed, 28, Riaz, 27, and Abrar Shahriar Ullas, 28. All the injured are undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Injured Shakil told reporters that the BCS preliminary exam results were published in September. However, the authorities announced the written exam date without giving sufficient preparation time.

“For the past month, we have been protesting in Shahbagh demanding a rescheduling of the written exam. We had requested Dr. Asif Nazrul, our Law Adviser, to ensure the exam is held on December 28. Instead, the authorities set the date for November 27. When we tried to move toward Jamuna today, police used baton charge, sound grenades, and water cannons,” he said.

Shakil also said that several candidates sustained head injuries, with Shahin requiring ten stitches. Another candidate was seriously injured and admitted to the ICU of DMCH.

Usually candidates get at least 240 days to prepare for the written exam after the preliminary results. Some previous exams even allowed a 14-month preparation period. But they are now denied sufficient time and faced police violence instead, he said.

Inspector Md. Faruk, in-charge of the DMCH police camp, said that the injured candidates were brought to the hospital emergency department and are currently receiving treatment.