Quota reform seekers come under fresh attacks

Students and job seekers demanding reforms to a quota system in government jobs came under attack again on Monday, reports bdnews24.com.

The attack was launched when they gathered at the Central Shaheed Minar in the city to bring out a procession demanding withdrawal of cases filed against them.

The reform seekers blamed Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student wing of the ruling party Awami League, for the attacks.

However, the Chhatra League activists on the scene said they were not representing their party but have been working as general students to maintain a 'proper environment for education'.

Dhaka University Proctor AKM Golam Rabbani said he was unaware of the attacks and will take necessary measures, if informed.

Quota protest leaders Hasan Al Mamun, Farooq Hassan and Nurul Haque Nur were beaten up during a press meet on the campus on Saturday.

Quota protesters in Rajshahi University and Chittagong University were also attacked during demonstrations.

Protesters in Dhaka had announced a plan to hold a demonstration in front of Dhaka University Library on Monday as part of a nationwide protest. However, the protest leaders decided to shift the venue to Shaheed Minar due to the presence of Chhatra League activists on the library premises.

A group of young people, including leaders and activists of Chhatra League, swooped on the protesters when they had stood with a banner around 11am at the Shaheed Minar. They began to beat the protesters indiscriminately and dispersed them.

"We have been receiving virtual threats from different fake ID on Facebook but now they are threatening us in reality; that men will go missing while women will be raped," said Eden College student Lutfar Rahman Luma who participated in demonstration.

"Leaders and activists of Chhatra League have attacked us; they have beaten Farooq Hassan and me as well. I somehow managed to flee the scene," Hasan Al Mamun, convener of the protesters, told the news agency.

The attackers claimed themselves as 'students' when journalists present on the scene asked for their identity.

Meanwhile, a Dhaka court on Monday granted a five-day remand for Rashed Khan, joint convener of Bangladesh General Students' Rights Protection Forum, in a case filed under the Information and Communication Technology Act.

Judge of the Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Court Raihanul Islam passed the order after the investigation officer of the case sub-inspector Md Sajibuzzaman produced him before the court seeking a 10-day remand for him for interrogation.

The court also rejected the bail petition of Rashed Khan.

Meanwhile, UNB adds: Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam said on Monday the quota issue is now under consideration of the high level of the government.

"As quota reform issue is a complex issue, it'll take a little bit more time. The quota issue is under consideration of the high level of the government," said the Cabinet Secretary at a briefing after the Cabinet meeting held at the Bangladesh Secretariat with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.

"The issue needs much more analysis and research, and the next step will be taken in light of that," he said.

Replying to a question about any decision on quota reform, Shafiul said, "We haven't yet started work formally. It'll start soon."