Quota-reformation demo continues at universities across country

After yesterday’s nightlong battle at Dhaka University, the demand for quota reform in civil service has gained momentum and fueled protests in other parts of the country as well.

This morning, students of Jahangirnagar University, Rajshahi University, Shahjalal University, Chittagong University and others restarted protests this morning.

And, in Dhaka University, the centre stage of all the action, protests are brewing up afresh, seemingly ready to begin another day of push after only hours of quietness.

students were marching up and down the Dhaka University campus – through Arts Faculty, Central Library, TSC, and Doyel Chattar – chanting slogans for reducing the 56 per cent quota reservation to around 10 per cent to allow non-quota holders to compete.

Law enforcers – police and Rapid Action Battalion – were seen deployed aplenty throughout the campus, at Shahbagh, Doyel Chattar, Nilkhet, and several other key points within the campus. Armoured vehicles and water cannons have been kept at the ready.

In Jahangirnagar University, a section of students blocked Dhaka-Aricha highway. Last reported at 11:30am, traffic movement on the busy highway was interrupted.

Regular classes have been hampered with thin attendance of students.

Chittagong University students blocked the shuttle train service at Sholosohor, Chittagong city, this morning, said Sholosahar Railway Station’s Station master Mohammad Shahabuddin.

Over a thousand demonstrators were demonstrating since last reported around 12:30pm, said Sub-Inspector Jakir Hossain of Government Railway Police (GRP) outpost at Sholoshohor Station.

In Rajshahi University, thousands of students started a sit-in in front of the university’s main gate blocking the Dhaka-Rajshahi highway since 10:00am.

Some teachers were also seen participating in the protest that halted vehicular movement on the highway when this report was filed around 11:45am. 

Meanwhile, students of Rajshahi University of Science and Technology (RUET) also joined the protest taking position in front of the university main gate around 11:30am.

In Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (Sust), students staged peaceful sit-in protests inside the campus since 9:00am pledging their solidarity with the movement.

More than 500 students were holding the sit-in program abstaining from classes and exams. Additional law enforcement was also observed.

Last night was a night of battle at Dhaka University. Throughout the night, police tried to quell quota demonstrators – lobbing tear gas shells, charging batons and firing rubber bullets.

Widespread vandalism took place on the hands of agitating students, including at the residence of Dhaka University’s vice chancellor. The cars in his residence compound were torched.

Source: thedailystar