Dhaka, May 14 (Just News): Quota reform protesters today blocked one of Dhaka’s main thoroughfares Shahbagh suspending vehicular movement in the area.
The protesters after bringing out a rally from Dhaka University Central Library gathered around Shahbagh intersection and were staging a sit-in till 12:45pm when the report was filed.
In Dhaka University, around 3000 protesters started rally from DU central library around 11:00am demanding immediate gazette notification on abolishing quota system from public service as per prime minister's words.
They marched towards each faculty and took out the students, suspending all classes, reports our correspondent from the spot.
Muhammad Rashed Khan, joint convener of the platform said they would not return to classes until the gazette is published.
In Jahangirnagar University, about 200 protesters brought out a procession on the campus to press home their demands, reports our JU correspondent.
The protesters were carrying banners that read “No more delay, issue gazette notification”.
In Chittagong University, quota reformists have been staging a sit-in on the rail tracks, blocking CU shuttle train service since 8:00am, our CU correspondent reports quoting Sholoshohor Police Outpost Sub-Inspector Jakir Hossain.
No train left the port city for the campus since morning, the correspondent said.
“As the government failed to publish the gazette by the given timeframe, we will observe strike sine die and boycott all academic activities at the colleges and universities countrywide,” Nurul Haque Nur, joint convener of Bangladesh Sadharan Chhatra Adhikar Sangrakkhan Parishad, told The Daily Star yesterday.
Meanwhile, students at other universities and colleges across the country have been boycotting classes and examinations.
In Jahangirnagar University, about 200 protesters brought out a procession on the campus to press home their demands, reports our JU correspondent.
The protesters were carrying banners that read “No more delay, issue gazette notification”.
In Chittagong University, quota reformists have been staging a sit-in on the rail tracks, blocking CU shuttle train service since 8:00am, our CU correspondent reports quoting Sholoshohor Police Outpost Sub-Inspector Jakir Hossain.
No train left the port city for the campus since morning, the correspondent said.
“As the government failed to publish the gazette by the given timeframe, we will observe strike sine die and boycott all academic activities at the colleges and universities countrywide,” Nurul Haque Nur, joint convener of Bangladesh SadharanChhatraAdhikarSangrakkhanParishad, told The Daily Star yesterday.
Earlier, the protesters set the deadline to 5:00pm yesterday to publish the gazette and threatened to go on an indefinite strike.
Yesterday, the students observed a two-hour strike from 11:00am to 1:00pm at different universities and colleges.
Awami League General Secretary ObaidulQuader however at a programme on the same day said threats of further protests were unrealistic.
Earlier on Wednesday, the protesters threatened to begin demonstrations from Sunday if the government failed to publish the gazette by Thursday.
They announced launching of fresh demonstrations after Cabinet Secretary Mohammad ShafiulAlam on May 7 said there was no progress regarding the gazette publication.
In April, students of public and private universities across the country took to the streets with the demand. Police charged truncheons and fired tear gas shells on the demonstrators on DU campus, injuring at least 163.
The protesters blocked key points in the capital and roads and highways elsewhere.
(Justnews/ys/1320hr)
