Students who have been staging demonstrations demanding reform in quota system resumed their ‘Bangla Blockade’ on Thursday afternoon despite DMP’s warning against road blockade.
Students from different dormitories of Dhaka University, Jagannath University and other universities gathered at Dhaka University Central Library around 4 pm and marched towards Shahbagh intersection with processions after parading different streets.
They chanted various slogans in favour of their demand wearing national flag on their foreheads.
The agitating students broke the police barricade at Shahbagh and marched towards Banglamotor around 5 pm.
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 protesters’ nationwide Bangla Blockade brings commute to a standstill
Addressing a press conference at the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Media Center, he emphasized that causing public suffering through road blockades is a punishable offense under existing laws.
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.
Quota reform: Protesters announce nationwide ‘Bangla Blockade’ Wednesday