Despite four-week status quo of the Supreme Court’s Appellate Division on the 2018 quota circular, a section of university students blocked roads and highways across the country on Thursday, causing immense sufferings for the people.
During their demonstrations and road blockade under the ’Bangla Blockade’ programme, the agitating students and police were locked in clashes at different places across of the country.
On the other hand, activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student wing of the ruling Awami League, held marches and rallies in the capital, demanding the continuation of the academic environment in educational institutions and the resumption of classes and examinations
They also demanded a logical and inclusive solution to the quota issue.
A vested quarter is allegedly instigating the student protests to unseat the elected government.
University students are paralysing the educational institutions, ignoring lawmakers' call for refraining from taking to the streets and despite the strict warnings from the police.
Thousands of protesters seeking reform of the quota system have broken he police barricade and taken position at the Shahbagh intersection in the capital..
They started gathering there on Thursday afternoon as part of their Bangla Blockade programme. Police were there but they did not take any action.
The blockade led to severe traffic snarl around the area. Thousands of commuters suffered a lot as vehicles got stuck on the streets from Shahbagh to Elephant Road, Bangla Motor Road, Matsya Bhaban Road and TSC Road.
Students also staged anti-quota protests in different parts parts of the country.
Aktarul Islam, additional deputy police commissioner (ADC) of Ramna zone, said, "We want the students to return to campus soon. The students wanted to take position at the Intercontinental Hotel intersection, but we dispersed them."
Asked about alleged police assault on Somoy TV reporter while covering the protest at Shahbagh, he said, "I am not aware of this matter. If someone complains, we will investigate."
Students continue protests
despite SC’s status quo order
The anti-quota protesters of Islamic University blocked Kushtia-Khulna highway for an hour defying the police obstruction.
The agitating students blocked the highway at 3:30pm and withdrew the blockade after an hour.
Rajshahi University (RU) students also blocked the railway tracks near the campus.
Students of Barisal University blocked the Dhaka-Barisal Highway, demanding reform of the quota system in public service.
The students gathered on the highway adjacent to the university gate around 4pm amid the presence of a huge number of police members. As the number of agitating students increased, the police retreated.
The road communication of Barishal with the rest of the country came to a halt due to the blockade. Hundreds of vehicles were stuck on both sides of the highway, causing untold public sufferings.
Passengers were seen walking several kilometers to reach their destinations.
Students of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University blocked the thoroughfare in Agargaon.
The protesting students of the university alleged that the police charged baton on them. “We will not leave the streets until our demands are met. Our sole demand is the reform of the discriminatory quota, they stated.
As of 5:50pm, at least 30 persons across the country were reportedly injured in an alleged crackdown by the police during the Bangla Blockade.
Earlier, police warned that they will take action in accordance with the law if anyone causes public suffering as the relevant court has already given a verdict on the quota system.
"But at the same time, we have to respect the existing laws of the country and the highest court of the country. Since the students are educated, I humbly request them on behalf of DMP not no organise a programme which cause public sufferings."
Meanwhile, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said that students participating in the anti-quota movement are crossing their limits.
He urged the students to stop the protests and take their grievances to court.
At least 10 students suffered injuries as police charged protesters at She-e-Bangla Agricultural University with batons, some protesters claimed.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Tejgaon zone Deputy Commissioner (DC) HM Azimul Haque said, "Students were going to lay siege to Agargaon, but we restrained them. Now they took position at the university gate. They have requested time, and we are monitoring the situation."
Jahangirnagar University students have launched a blockade programme ignoring police warnings.
At around 4:00pm, the students of the university blocked the Dhaka-Aricha highway. Police had earlier locked the main entrance to the university. lice action.
At least 20 people, including students and journalists, were injured in police crackdown on protesters in Cumilla University in the afternoon, protesters claimed.
"We won't let the students block the roads today. We have been given clear instructions in this regard," Cumilla Additional Police Superintendent Khandker Ashfaquzzaman said earlier on the day.
"We are aware of the stance taken by police. We have not received any instruction from the centre as of yet. We will follow the instructions when it comes," Mohammad Sakib Hossain, one of the coordinators of the protest at Comilla University said.
