United News of Bangladesh

Anti-quota protesters have announced countrywide rallies on campuses tomorrow in response to today's police action on students in several locations outside Dhaka. Nahid Islam, a spokesman for the quota movement, declared the plan following a four-hour blockade at the Shahbagh intersection, which ended around 9 pm on Thursday. HC releases operative part of verdict: Govt can change quota ratio, it says Earlier in the day, students from Dhaka University, its seven affiliated colleges, and Jagannath University gathered in front of the Dhaka University central library around 3:30 pm, overcoming “obstacles from the police and Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL).” By 4:30 pm, thousands of students had joined a massive procession, marching towards the Shahbagh intersection after parading through the Dhaka University campus. Upon reaching Shahbagh, the police attempted to block the protesters, but the students broke through the barricades multiple times. Reporter, cameraman attacked by quota protesters in Shahbagh, says Somoy TV At the conclusion of the program, Sarjis Alam, another spokesman for the movement, said, “Today’s court decision has shown that our demands are being directed to the proper authority. We are reiterating our demand for a constitutional law to ensure the participation of underprivileged people with a quota system, but it should be capped at 5% of the total seats.” “Our demand is clear: an emergency general assembly should be called to create a law that reflects our needs. We do not want a repeat of the mistakes made in the 2018 quota order. The High Court has indicated that the government can legislate to change quota percentages, and we demand a clear solution that reforms the quota for all categories.” ‘If anyone tries to politicize the quota protests, we’ll respond politically’: Obaidul Quader Another spokesman, Hasnat Abdullah, condemned the police attacks on students at other campuses. “Today, our fellow students were brutally attacked by police in Chattogram, Barishal, and Cumilla. Despite these barriers, students observed the Bangla Blockade with determination. Police action injured at least ten students. We demand justice for them and legal action against the responsible officers,” he said.

Students of Jahangirnagar University blocked the Dhaka-Aricha highway on Thursday as part of the half-day Bangla blockade programme of the quota protestors. The students put up barricade on the highway near the main gate of the university from 4 pm, leading to traffic jams on both sides the highway. Reporter, cameraman attacked while covering quota protests in Shahbagh, says Somoy TV Although the protestors faced obstruction from the police they continued the demonstration. Students and job aspirants started gathering in front of the central library of the university at noon. Later, they brought out a procession under the banner of 'anti-discrimination student movement'. The procession paraded a few roads and when it reached the main gate of the university, it was blocked by the proctorial team. ‘If anyone tries to politicize the quota protests, we’ll respond politically’: Obaidul Quader Later, when the protesters crossed the main gate, police stopped them. After an argument with the police for at least 15 minutes, the students ignored the police and blocked the Dhaka-Aricha highway. At least 500 police members were seen in the main gate area at that time. Police-quota protestors’ clash in Cumilla leave 30 injured The protesting students said that the blockade will continue until their one-point demand is met.

Twenty people were injured in a clash between police and quota protesters on Dhaka-Chitttagong highway at Kotbari in Cumilla district on Thursday. Quota protestors crossing the line: Home Minister Around 500 students from Cumilla University tried to take position at Kotbari area as part of their half-day ‘Bangla Blockade’ programme across the country. At one stage, police obstructed them around 3:30 pm. A chase and counter-chase took place in the area, triggering a clash that left 20 people injured. Quota reform: Protesters start road blockade in Dhaka amid warning by police Police fired ten rounds of bullet in the air and lobbed tear gas shells to bring the situation under control. Earlier in the day, Additional Police Commissioner (Crime and Ops) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police Dr. Mahid Uddin warned that strict action will be taken against individuals who block roads in the name of the blockade. Quota reform: Barisal University students block highway   The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on Wednesday issued a status quo for four weeks regarding the High Court’s earlier order to reinstate quota system in government jobs but the agitating students announced to continue the blockade programme.

HSC examinees in a centre in Chattogram sat for the exam at 12 pm on Thursday instead of 10 am due to distribution of wrong question paper. Students got Physics 2nd paper questions instead of 1st paper at Sitakundera Bhatiari Vijay Memorial College this morning. Action against 3 colleges on allegation of malpractice in HSC Guardians said that the wrong question papers were distributed at the beginning of the exam. After that, the question papers were collected from the students and the examination was postponed for about two hours. A three-member probe committee headed by Assistant Commissioner (Land) Md Alauddin was formed to look into the matter. Mustafa Alam Sarkar, upazila secondary education officer, said the concerned centre secretary is responsible for collecting the question papers the night before the examination. HSC exams in Sylhet to begin Tuesday amid ongoing floods The question papers are handed over to every centre secretary or their representative from the treasury of the Deputy Commissioner's office. Rafiqul Islam, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Sitakunda, said an investigation committee is being formed from Chittagong Deputy Commissioner's office to look into the matter.

Students of Barisal University blocked the Dhaka-Barisal 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 pm amid presence of huge number of police. A large number of police took position there in the morning. As the number of protesting students increased, the police retreated.

Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) has called on students protesting the quota system in government jobs to await the court’s decision and return to their classrooms and exams. BCL expressed its stance on the ongoing anti-quota movement at a press conference held at Madhur Canteen, Dhaka University, today (July 11, 2024) at 12 pm. Saddam Hussain, President of BCL central committee, emphasized the necessity of considering the court’s observations. “Seeking orders from the executive department alone is not wise. Good decisions take time. Mob justice cannot be commendable,” Hussain said. Quota protesters to observe half-day ‘Bangla Blockade’ tomorrow Highlighting the importance of the quota system, the BCL president said, “The quota system is an inclusive framework that ensures participation and gender balance. The government and the High Court are actively working to resolve this issue. Students need to be patient.” He further clarified, “This is not an anti-discrimination student movement. Statistics show that quotas are essential for ensuring gender balance and an inclusive administration.” Addressing the impact of the ongoing protests, the BCL president criticized the disruption caused by road and rail blockades. “Students are creating a crisis, leading to public suffering. These issues must be resolved through policy discussions and strategic actions. We urge students to return to their classes,” he said. Bangla Blockade: Students block Barishal-Dhaka highway

Quota protesters have announced a nationwide ‘Bangla Blockade’ for Thursday, starting at 3:30 pm. Mertro rail faces huge passenger pressure amid Quota protesters' 'Bangla Blockade' Asif Mahmud, one of the protestors in the frontline, made the announcement from Shahbagh intersection around 7:30 pm this evening. Quota issue will be resolved by first week of August, Quader hopes Earlier, at 5:20 pm, students began lifting blockades from highways and headed to Shahbagh intersection to join the main rally. Quota protest: Rail link between Dhaka, the rest of the country restores after 6 hrs Sarjis Alam, a coordinator of the anti-quota protests, said, “Our demand is directed to the government, not to the High Court. We don’t want to follow or suffer the lengthy process of the High Court. If the government or executive department assures us directly, we will leave the road. We are not supposed to stay on roads. It is not our place. We want to get back to the studies soon without wasting our valuable time.”

Congratulating outgoing students, US Embassy’s Public Affairs Counselor Stephen Ibelli on Wednesday said Bangladeshi students enrich US campuses and strengthen people-to-people ties. A record number of 13,563 Bangladeshi students enrolled in US higher education institutions last year, making Bangladesh the 13th top source country of international students in United States. 5 US universities visit Bangladesh to share study opportunities “This represents a 28% increase from the previous year, one of the highest worldwide,” said Ibelli. The US Embassy’s EducationUSA team organized a pre-departure orientation (PDO) session at the EMK Center in Dhaka for 120 Bangladeshi students who will begin their studies at US colleges and universities in the upcoming fall 2024 semester. The event featured several distinguished speakers, including representatives from the US Embassy Consular Section, EducationUSA, international admissions officials from US universities, current students, and recent alumni of US universities. Applications can be made to 25 US universities through GRC The speakers offered practical tips and shared diverse perspectives on the academic, cultural, and lifestyle differences that students will encounter while studying in the United States. In his remarks, Stephen Ibelli encouraged students to take advantage of resources available at US institutions as they embark on this exciting journey of academic, professional, and personal growth. Applications can be made to 25 US universities through GRC He emphasized the importance of embracing new experiences and building a global network of friends and colleagues. Over the past decade, Bangladeshi students in the United States have increased by more than 300%, from 3,314 in 2011-2012 to 13,563 in 2022-2023. The number of Bangladeshi undergraduate students increased by over 50% to approximately 2,500 students, while nearly 10,000 graduate students make Bangladesh the seventh largest source of graduate students in the United States. These figures highlight strong educational ties and the high demand for US degrees. In Bangladesh, EducationUSA advising services and reference materials are available at locations across the country, including the American Center at US Embassy Dhaka in Baridhara, the Edward M Kennedy Center for Public Service and the Arts in Gulshan, and the American Corner in Chattogram, where trained advisors lead group information sessions and provide individual counseling services to students and parents. EducationUSA reference libraries and remote advising services are also accessible at the American Corners in Khulna, Sylhet and Rajshahi.

As part of the countrywide Bangla Blockade, students have blockaded Dhaka-Barishal highway at two points, snapping communication with Barishal and other parts of the country. Students of Barishal University put the barricade in front of the university on the highway around 12: 30pm while students of Government BM College in Nathullahbad area blocked it near Central Bus Terminal around 12 noon. Due to the blockade, commuters suffered much as vehicular movement on the highway remained suspended for long. The students demanded an end to all types of quotas except those for people with disability and ethnic groups and threatened that  would continue the movement until it is successful.  

Dr. Mahiuddin Khan Alamgir High School and College has been embroiled in a controversy over allegations of exam malpractice during the HSC exams, as reported by a private TV channel. Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury has instructed the Chairman of the Comilla Education Board to take action against that institution. On the instructions of the Education Minister, Comilla Board of Secondary and Higher Education has exempted the in-charge of Palakhal Rustom Ali College and Nindpur Dr. Mohiuddin Khan School and College Center in Kochua Upazila of Chandpur and a four-member delegation has been sent from the board. Professor Dr. Nizamul Karim, Chairman of Comilla Board of Secondary and Higher Education, stated that strict action will be taken against those involved in irregularities at the exam centers, as per the decision of the examination discipline committee. HSC exams in Sylhet to begin Tuesday amid ongoing floods Meanwhile, under the headline "Students caught using phones, invigilators stand idly by," a news report published in a daily newspaper. The news came to the attention of the Education Minister. The report mentions that during the ongoing HSC exams at the national high school in M. Monsur Ali Union of Kajipur in Sirajganj, students were seen using smartphones while invigilators are simply standing by. It is known that a racket made such arrangements for the examinees by paying a huge amount of money to the exam center committee. This cycle is being conducted through at least 9 WhatsApp groups combining the Science, Humanities, and Commerce group. Mir Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman, deputy commissioner of Sirajganj informed that based on the published news, 11 people were expelled and one person was sentenced to 7 days in jail. The responsible officials at the center have been replaced and a committee of three members has been formed to investigate the matter. 468 HSC examinees’ future uncertain as  exam center submerged in Rangamati