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Anti-quota protesters defy government crackdown with planned march

Staff Reporter

Staff Reporter

Publish: 14 Jul 2024, 04:39 PM

Anti-quota protesters defy government crackdown with planned march

Photo Credit: Nazmul Islam

In defiance of the government's increasingly hardline position, which includes a lawsuit against unidentified students and stern warnings from officials, anti-quota protesters in Dhaka intend to march today and present their demands to the President.

The lawsuit, filed by a police driver on Friday, alleges damage to police vehicles during recent demonstrations for quota reform in government job recruitment.

The case document details that on July 11, during protests, Dhaka University students allegedly breached police barricades at Shahbagh intersection, assaulting officers and damaging government property, including an armored personnel carrier and water cannon.

Later that day, Jagannath University students reportedly joined the protest and also engaged in attacks against police.

During a press briefing on Saturday, Detective Branch Chief Harun Or Rashid suggested that those defying High Court orders by blocking roads, attacking vehicles, and throwing projectiles during protests may be infiltrators seeking to disrupt the movement.

Meanwhile, protest organizers announced today's march and reiterated their commitment to continuing demonstrations until their demands for quota reform are met.

During a press conference at Dhaka University, movement coordinator Hasnat Abdullah announced a protest march on Sunday, starting from the campus at 11 a.m.

Students from across the country will converge to present their demands to the President in Dhaka and to deputy commissioners in other districts.

Another coordinator, Nahid Islam, emphasized the peaceful nature of their movement and expressed disappointment with the government's response, citing attacks on students by police and ruling party members.

Previously, clashes between police and Cumilla University students protesting against the quota system resulted in at least 20 injuries on both sides.

Movement coordinators demanded the withdrawal of the case filed against unidentified students within 24 hours and called for those who attacked students to be held accountable.

They also condemned the use of rubber bullets against Cumilla University students, which allegedly injured 30.

Several government ministers, notably Obaidul Quader (Roads and Bridges) and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal (Home Affairs), have voiced opposition to the anti-quota movement.

Obaidul Quader asserted that the protesters' demands and statements conflict with the constitution and fundamental principles of the state. During a press briefing, he affirmed the government's commitment to upholding the existing quota system and suggested that a vested group is manipulating the movement for personal gain.

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Publisher: Nahidul Khan
Editor in Chief: Dr Saimum Parvez
Editor (English version): Faisal Mahmud

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