'Attacks on students': Countrywide demonstrations at 4:00pm Friday, says protest coordinator
Reports have been coming of clashes between police and protesters in different places across the country during the "Bangla Blockade" protest programmes in demand of reforming the quota system in government jobs.
University students across the country have brought out protests as part of their pre-announced Bangla Blockade programme ignoring lawmakers' call to refrain from descending on the streets and strict warnings from the police and the Bangladesh Chhatra League.
Here are the latest updates on the situation reported by our correspondents reporting from the spots:
10:00pm
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Comilla University students vow to stay on highway until proctor's removal
Protesting against the attacks on protesters, the agitating students of Comilla University have declared to continue the blockade on Dhaka-Chattogram highway until the proctor is removed.
They also demanded the suspension of the policemen who attacked the students.
The anti-quota protesters were staging demonstrations on the highway as of 9:45pm.
9:00pm
Students protesting against the quota system in government jobs will stage demonstration processions on all university campuses across the country at 4:00pm on Friday (12 July), protesting the attacks on agitating students during today's blockade programmes.
Nahidul Islam Nahid, one of the coordinators of the protest, made the announcement at a press briefing at Shahbagh intersection of the capital at around 9:00pm today (11 July).
The anti-quota protesters also demanded the formation of a commission for the reformation of the quota system in government jobs.
8:00pm
Barishal University students block highway
Students of Barishal University blocked the Barishal-Kuakata highway on Thursday afternoon demanding reform in the quota system in public service.
The students gathered on the highway adjacent to the university gate around 4:00pm defying obstruction from the police.
The agitated students chanted various anti-quota slogans. They also set fire on the road during the blockade programme.
7:40pm
Ctg anti-quota protesters block city roads amid police action
Protesters demanding reforms to the quota system in government jobs faced forceful dispersal in Chattogram today (11 July).
While enforcing a railway and highway blockade as part of their one-point demand to abolish discriminatory quotas, the agitators were subjected to two rounds of baton charge by police.
Several students reportedly sustained injuries during the clashes.
Despite being dispersed multiple times, the protesters have maintained their position on the road.
7:20pm
Undeterred by heavy rain, Comilla University students have pressed on with their protest.
A protester described incessant rainfall for the past hour as they continued their agitation, completely drenched.
7:10pm
Students of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University withdrew blockade from the thoroughfare in Agargaon at 7:00pm.
On behalf of the agitating students, Ashiq said, "We initially decided to block the road until 7:00pm. However, we will continue the movement until our demands are met."
7:00pm
JU students withdraw Dhaka-Aricha highway blockade after 3 hours
Jahangirnagar University (JU) students protesting against the quota system in government jobs have withdrawn their blockade of the Dhaka-Aricha highway after three hours today (11 July).
The protesting students said they will continue the movement until their demands are met.
Condemning the police attack on Comilla University students, the protesting students urged the police to stand in solidarity with the people's demands and to stop the attacks.
6:40pm
Islamic University students block Kushtia-Khulna highway for an hour
The anti-quota protesters of Islamic University blocked Kushtia-Khulna highway today (11 July) for an hour as part of the ongoing nationwide "Bangla Blockade" programme, defying the police opbstruction.
The agitating students blocked the highway at 3:30pm and withdrew the blockade after an hour.
On the other hand, the Chhatra League activists of the university unit held peaceful marches and rallies, demanding the continuation of the academic environment in educational institutions, the resumption of classes and examinations without causing public grievances, and a logical, inclusive, and positive solution to the quota issue.
6:25pm
Protesting Rajshahi University (RU) students blocked the rail tracks near the university today (11 July) as part of the nationwide "Bangla Blockade" against the reinstatement of quotas in government jobs.
6:15pm
Aktarul Islam, additional deputy police commissioner (ADC) of Ramna zone, said, "We are in a peaceful position. We want students to return to campus as soon as possible. The students wanted to take position at the Intercontinental intersection, but we brought them back."
Asked about alleged police assault on Somoy TV reporter while covering the protest in Shahbagh, he said, "I am not aware of this matter. If someone complains, we will investigate."
6:06pm
Students of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University block the thoroughfare in Agargaon.
The protesting students of the university stated, "We are conducting a peaceful movement, which is not against the government. However, the police have charged baton on us. We will not leave the streets until our demands are met. Our sole demand is the reform of the discriminatory quota to 5%."
Clashes reported
Reports have been coming of clashes between police and protesters in different places across the country during the Bangla Blockade protest programmes in demand of reforming the quota system in government jobs.
As of 5:50pm, at least 30 persons across the country have reportedly been injured in an alleged crackdown by the police during the Bangla Blockade today (11 July) called to demand reforms to the quota system in Bangladesh.
Earlier in the day, police have warned that it 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 remember that 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 on behalf of DMP that they don't organise a programme for which people suffer."
Meanwhile, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said students participating in the anti-quota movement are crossing their limits.
He urged the protesting students to stop the protests and take their grievances to court.
The High Court has given a direction regarding the students' movement, while the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court has also ordered a four-week status quo.
5:45pm
10 reportedly injured as police charge protesters with batons
At least 10 students suffered injuries as police charged protesters at She-e-Bangla Agricultural University with batons, protesters claimed.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Tejgaon zone Deputy Commissioner (DC) HM Azimul Haque told TBS, "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."
5:18pm
In Dhaka, thousands of protesters from Dhaka University and adjacent educational institutions have taken position in the Shahbagh intersection after breaking off a barricade by police.
The "Bangla Blockade" protest programme in the capital will remain restricted within the Shahbagh intersection today, Sarjis Alam, one of the coordinators of the protest announced at around 4:30pm.
Meanwhile, the activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League also started gathering in front of the central library around 4:00pm.
5:00pm
In Jahangirnagar University students have launched a blockade programme ignoring police warnings.
At around 4:00pm protesting students from the university blocked off the Dhaka-Aricha highway. Police had earlier locked the main entrance to the university.
4:00pm
20 reportedly injured in Comilla University as police cracks down on protesters
At least 20 people, including students and journalists, have been injured after police cracked down 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.
However, protesters have taken positions in the Kotbari area near the campus. As of 5:20pm, no roads have been blocked.
"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.
Sargis Alam, a coordinator of the movement, said, "Our announced programme will proceed as planned, regardless of inclement hostile weather or the alert position of police and Chhatra League. We stand for truth and do not feel unsafe."
