Bangla Blockade fans out in country
DU Correspondent :
Students across the country took to important roads and highways as part of the pre-announced Bangla Blockade, demanding reforms in the quota system for all grades of government jobs.
Despite strict warnings and multiple interruptions from the police, the protesters have maintained their positions.
In Dhaka, students of Dhaka University (DU) commenced their rally at the university’s central library.
At around 5 PM on Thursday, they broke through police barricades and took up a position at the Shahbagh intersection. They were soon joined by students from Jagannath University.
A large contingent of policemen, equipped with armored vehicles, had been stationed at Shahbagh.
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) had earlier warned of legal action if the protesters continued their blockades.
Despite this, the DU students, chanting “go back, go back,” moved towards the police and occupied the area under the Shahbagh Metro station.
This forced the police to reposition themselves. Notably, a student was seen standing on an armored vehicle, holding the national flag.
The demonstration reflects growing discontent among students over the existing quota system in government jobs, with calls for more equitable reform gaining momentum.
Anti-quota protesters have announced plans to hold rallies across various campuses today in response to police attacks on students at multiple locations outside Dhaka.
Nahid Islam, a coordinator for the movement, declared this agenda after a four-hour blockade at Shahbagh crossing, around 9 PM on Thursday.
At the conclusion of the program, Sarjis Alam, another spokesperson for the movement, stated that the day’s court decision validated their demands.
He reiterated their call for a constitutional law to ensure the participation of underprivileged people in the quota system, limited to a maximum of 5% of the total seats.
Our correspondent from Jagannath University (JnU) reported that JnU students made a dramatic effort to join the ongoing quota reform movement at Shahbagh by breaking the university gate lock and defying police barriers.
They launched a procession from the university’s Faculty of Arts building, aiming to participate in the major demonstration at Shahbagh.
Students from Jahangirnagar University blocked the Dhaka-Aricha highway for three hours, condemning the police attack on Cumilla University students.
Earlier, police had locked the main entrance to the university, but students broke through the barrier.
At Chattogram University, several students were injured when police interrupted their procession and beat them.
The students had gathered at Chittagong Battali station to block the road and railway, and when they proceeded to the city’s Tiger Pass road, police intervened, resulting in injuries.
Despite this, students took up positions on the roads near the university’s gate number 2, vowing to continue their protests until their demands are met.
Students from Islamic University also blocked the Kushtia-Khulna highway for an hour as part of the nationwide “Bangla Blockade” program, defying police obstructions.
Meanwhile, students from Rajshahi University took up positions on the railway line adjacent to their campus.
The protest movement continues to gain momentum as students across the country unite in their demand for a fairer quota system.
Barishal University students also blocked the Dhaka-Barishal highways paying no heed to police obstacles, resulting road communication system of Barisal with the rest of the country was stopped.
Earlier, a large number of policemen took their position at the university gate since morning. Later, when the attendance rate of ordinary students increased, the police were forced to retreat.
In addition, the students of the capital and rest of the country including Bangladesh Agricultural University and Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET) took their position on the roads and highways next to their campus and agitated their.
Moreover almost all of the students faced police interruption in their procession and the police failed to stop the students.
Meanwhile, the students have been protesting since July 1 to demand reform of quota system in government jobs.
They started the ‘Bangla Blockade’ program last Sunday and continued for next two consecutive days.
Later on Tuesday they hold a mass communication program and they again blocked roads and railways for full day on Wednesday.