Students and job seekers have again taken to the streets on Wednesday to call for reforms to the quota system for government jobs.
Though the protests have been going on for some time, the latest round began on Sunday, with a large-scale protest at Dhaka University. The protest turned violent that evening after police used rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the demonstrators. Clashes broke out on the university campus and continued overnight.
On Monday students from universities across the country began holding local protests in solidarity with those at Dhaka University.
A delegation from the Dhaka University protesters met with government officials on Monday afternoon and decided to postpone protests until May 7. But not all of the protesters agreed and the decision was reversed again on Tuesday.
Dhaka
Students and job seekers calling for quota reforms have occupied various roads in Dhaka.
Traffic at various roads in the capital have been blocked since 10am on Wednesday as protesters took to the streets.
Students from Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University took up positions at the Agargaon intersection, blocking traffic at Rokeya Sharani and Mirpur Road.
Students from Eden Mohila College and Home Economics College took up positions at the New Market intersection around 10:45am, which blocked traffic on the Mirpur-Azimpur Road.
The traffic police control room said that students from Daffodil University have blocked the eastern side of Dhanmondi Road 27.
Asia Pacific University students have blocked traffic on Green Road and Panthapath.
Some roads in Old Dhaka have been blocked due to a protest by Jagannath University students at Tathibazar.
Students from a private medical college have blocked one section of the Moghbazar road.
Student protesters also blocked the Bangla Motor and Ruposhi Bangla intersections but moved on, clearing the way for traffic from Farmgate to Shahbag.
Students from United International University (UIU) have gathered in front of the Bashundhara gate.
Bangladesh University of Business and Technology (BUBT) are protesting at the Mirpur-10 square.
Jahangirnagar University
Students from Savar’s Jahangirnagar University have boycotted class and occupied the Dhaka-Aricha Highway to call for reforms to the quota system for government jobs.
The protest has blocked traffic on the highway since 10am on Wednesday.
The protesters say they are also demonstrating against the remarks of two ministers regarding the protests and ‘attacks by police and the Bangladesh Chhatra League’.
The protest programme and boycott was announced on Tuesday night. Several thousand protesters gathered in front of the Jahangirnagar University central library around 9am accordingly.
The protesters marched around campus at 10am and came to the main gate before occupying the Dhaka-Aricha Highway at 10:30am.
A large deployment of police and members of the university proctor’s team are also present.
“We are trying to move the students off the road and bring them back to campus over concern for their safety,” said Proctor Sikder Md Zulkernine. “We have asked the students to refrain from violence.”
Chattagram
Protesters calling for quota reforms have once again halted the Chittagong University shuttle train.
Students from Chittagong University and various other educational institutions occupied the Sholshohor Rail Station on Wednesday morning.
‘Council for the Protection of Bangladesh General Students’ Rights’ Chattagram branch convener Tofayel Ahmed said that protest programmes would be held in Chattagram, as they would be in Dhaka.
Sholshohor Rail Station Master Md Shahabuddin said that students were holding marches and rallies at the station and that the train had been halted on the rail line.
Students from Chittagong University had joined in during nationwide protests calling for quota reforms on Monday. They were later joined by students from other educational institutions.
They had held a 10-hour obstruction programme before dispersing after a faction of Dhaka University protesters halted their demonstrations.
