As part of the nationwide ‘March for Justice’ programme on Wednesday (July 31, 2024), protesters are holding a demonstration at the Chattogram Court premises to press home their nine-point demand. A tense situation prevails in and around the court area as a significant number of law enforcers have surrounded the protesters, according to UNB’s Chattogram correspondent. Earlier, around 11:30 am, protesters began gathering in front of Chattogram Zilla Parishad in Laldighi area, occupying the busy Laldighi Road for about half an hour, causing a traffic gridlock on both sides. A group of lawyers from the court later joined the protesters, extending their support. In response, the police administration issued a half-hour ultimatum for the protesters to vacate the road. The combined group of protesters and lawyers then marched to the front of the Lawyers’ Building, where they continued to demonstrate and chant slogans. Read more: Shamim Osman seeing signs that tonight 'not normal'

Violent clashes surrounding the quota reform movement have resulted in significant damage to two metro rail stations in Dhaka, causing major disruptions to the city’s commute system. The extent of the financial loss remains undetermined. M.A.N Siddique, Managing Director of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL), told UNB, “The damages to Mirpur-10 and Kazipara metro rail stations are extensive. We cannot yet estimate the financial loss as experts need to assess the damage thoroughly.” In response to the incident, DMTCL formed a committee on July 22 to evaluate the damages and determine when the metro rail stations can be operational again. Led by Additional Project Director of Metro Rail Line-6, Md Zakaria, the committee has been instructed to submit a report within 10 working days. Attack on Mirpur Metro Rail stations coordinated by Chhatra Dal leader Abu Hannan, DB says The head of the investigation committee told UNB, “We have begun our work and outlined a plan of action. Various experts, contractors, and DMTCL officials are compiling a detailed list of the damages. It will take more time to quantify the losses.” The metro rail’s closure has led to increased road congestion in Dhaka, forcing commuters back into time-consuming and inconvenient journeys. Utara and Mirpur residents now face an additional two-hour travel time to reach their destinations. Several passengers expressed their frustration, noting how they had grown accustomed to the convenience of the metro rail. One commuter lamented, “Returning to old ways is uncomfortable. It costs us both more time and money. We demand a swift restoration of the damaged metro stations.” People must come forward to resist culprits: PM Hasina on metro rail mayhem When asked about the reopening timeline, the DMTCL MD said, “We cannot specify when the stations will reopen. The restoration of the two damaged stations will take considerable time. However, we are working to resume services at the unaffected stations as soon as possible.” Sources from the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges indicated that identifying and repairing the technical damage caused by vandalism and arson hinge on assessments by a Japanese technical committee, whose recommendations will guide the restoration efforts. According to ministry officials, fully reopening the two damaged stations could take over a year. The delay is attributed to the need to import new machinery, as many damaged components are beyond repair and must be custom-ordered. BUET Civil Engineering Professor Dr. Shamsul Haque commented, “While I have not been directly involved in the metro rail construction, I believe that if the government prioritizes this, the stations could be restored within six months.” Another infrastructure expert, BUET Professor Dr. Hadiuzzaman, added, “The metro station equipment, including ticket machines, are specially made for Bangladesh. The necessary plans are with the manufacturing company, and the government can expedite the import and installation process. I don’t foresee significant technical challenges.” Violence erupted on July 18, targeting the Mirpur-10 and Kazipara metro rail stations. The attacks led to destruction, vandalism, and looting, severely damaging the stations’ civil, electrical, mechanical, and building management systems. DMTCL reported that at Mirpur-10, nearly all systems, including telecommunications, air conditioning, fire detection, and suppression systems, were damaged. At Kazipara, various systems also suffered extensive damage. Destruction included entry and exit gates, fire-resistant doors and windows, signage, stainless steel fencing, and specialized glass doors and windows. Asked whether metro rail operations can be partially (without the two damaged stations in Mirpur) started within one month, Md Abdur Rauf, metro rail’s company secretary, said, “We will try our best to resume operations within a month considering public suffering.” The probe body will submit its report in one-two days and the extent of the damages will be known after that. Read more: PM Hasina visits vandalised Metro Rail station at Mirpur-10

The Ministry of Education will request the heads of the higher educational institutions to discuss with the students’ organisations to resume academic activities after ensuring safe and congenial atmosphere. Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel revealed the information, said MA Khayer, public relations officer of the ministry. The University Grants Commission (UGC) on July 16 announced a closure of all public and private universities until further notice considering the issue of students' safety in the wake of widespread protests for reforming quota. HSC exams for July 28, 29, 31 & Aug 1 postponed A press release, signed by UGC secretary Dr Ferdous Zaman, said academic activities of all public, private universities, medical, textile, engineering colleges affiliated to the university and other colleges will remain shut until further notice. The UGC has taken the move in line with the Education Ministry’s decision, said the release.

Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi has protested a news article with false information, titled “Indian students flee Dhaka amid violent clashes, PM Sheikh Hasina airlifted,” published online as well as a related post on the X handle of India Today NE on July 21, 2024. "We request all the news outlets, including the India Today NE, to remain vigil and ensure objective and balanced reporting taking account of the sensitivity of the issue," reads a rejoinder sent by the Bangladesh High Commission.  Shaban Mahmood, Minister (Press) sent the rejoinder to the media outlet on behalf of the High Commission on July 22.  While the article was premised on misleading information in more detail, the X post reads: “Amidst this chaos, reports confirmed that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was airlifted from her residence in Dhaka. Her current whereabouts remain unknown.” Read more: It's your internal affair but we are with you: Diplomats to govt Although both the article and the post were subsequently taken down within a few hours, the misinformation on the status of the Government of Bangladesh went viral within a short span of time, and triggered huge confusion and anxiety among people at home and abroad, the rejoinder reads. "On behalf of the High Commission of Bangladesh, I express my sheer disappointment at the aforesaid erroneous article and post. As you are well aware, our country is going through a challenging time due to the ongoing student protests," reads the rejoinder.  “This kind of misinformation and reporting based on rumour at the time of such critical moment of any country may misguide the people and even add fuel to the crisis and turn the situation into more chaotic,” said the High Commission.  Moreover, such kind of reporting, without gauging the sensitivity, does not only negatively affect the people and the society at large, but also puts the credibility of any news outlet in question.  On July 21, 2024, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh delivered a historic verdict on reforming the quota system in the public service employment.  Read more: Diplomats witnessing destruction in Dhaka were stunned: Foreign Minister The court ordered 93% of the government jobs to be allocated on a merit-based system, which has been the demand of the students.  While welcoming the order of the apex court of the country, the Government of Bangladesh has also taken a slew of measures to ensure safety and security of the people and property, said the High Commission.  With this, the situation has significantly improved, and it is expected that normalcy will return soon, it said.

Bangladesh General Students Rights Protection Council  (BGSRPC), the platform that came to the limelight by leading the quota reform movement, has termed the filing of case against Ducsu VP Nurul Haque Nur and his supporters as ‘unexpected’, as they didn’t attack or hurt anyone.   BGSRPC leaders held a press conference at the Teachers Students Centre (TSC) of Dhaka University Sunday afternoon. Bin Yamin Mollah, joint convener of the platform, read out a written statement where they criticised DU Proctor AKM Golam Rabbani for his failure to protect students. Bin Yamin said, "Chhatra League has created a ‘Fear Culture’ on campuses of educational institutions resorting to continuous terror. In the latest incident, they attacked Ducsu VP and others brutally. University authorities also worked in favor of the attackers by removing the CCTV footage.”