Students and job seekers have organised a demonstration blocking the Shahbagh intersection in Dhaka to call for quota reforms.
Nearly a thousand protesters gathered in front of the public library around 2:30pm on Sunday, held a rally and blocked the Shahbagh intersection.
Traffic was completely halted at the intersection and police took up positions at the scene with water cannons.
On March 14 the protesters attempted to deliver a five-point petition to the Secretariat, but had their demonstration broken up by police, leading to several arrests.
“Parliament is now in session,” protest leader Md Ujjal Mia said, reports bdnews24.com.
“We want parliament to announce quota reforms in this session. We will not halt our demonstration until reforms are announced,” he said.
The protesters burned an effigy of Public Administration Senior Secretary Md Mozammel Haque Khan.
“The prime minister said that any seat left vacant after a quota would be filled based on merit.” Ujjal said.
“But then the public administration ministry says those seats would be filled by another quota. We object severely,” he said.
Another protest leader, Dhaka University student Hasan Al Mamun said, “Parliament is in session. The people in parliament are elected by a direct vote. We will see what they do for the people.”
“We will clear the road once parliament reaches a decision in our favour. Our protest is completely non-violent. We will not retaliate even if they shoot us,” he added.
