Quota protesters regroup, stage fresh demo
Security reinforced, around 50 held in Dhaka, elsewhere
FE REPORT | Tuesday, 30 July 2024
Job-quota protesters regrouped after a curfew-restricted rout and staged
fresh demonstrations Monday in Dhaka and elsewhere on their modified nine-point demand, but reinforced security forces soon dispersed them in prevented actions, firsthand reports said.
The lawmen picked up at least 50 people during protesters' attempt to stage agitations afresh in different parts of the capital as well as the country during curfew break.
Monday marked the 11th day of curfew and army deployment, with later incremental relaxation of the restrictions allowing for public movement and economic activity.
Additional police and other law-enforcing agencies' personnel were deployed at key points of the capital city to maintain law and order as a fragment of the quota-reform activists announced a resumption of agitations.
Concurrently, university teachers, who have been on strike to seek pension reform, also staged solidarity squatting at Dhaka University and somewhere else.
According to witnesses, police chased the quota-reform activists as they tried to gather at the ECB Chattar and shout slogans around 1.00 pm. Police nabbed at least 10 from the spot.
Twelve activists were picked up from Science Lab and several from Paltan areas at around 12.30pm when agitators tried to gather and hold rally.
The coordinators of Student Movement Against Discrimination, a platform of quota protest, revoked their movement on Sunday through a video message from the DB office.
However, another section of the student movement vowed to continue seeking justice for those slain during waves of protests and counteraction by lawmen and ruling-party supporters. They said the six coordinators "were forced by Detective Branch (DB) to revoke the movement".
They announced gathering at eight spots in the capital city, including Science Lab, North South University Gate, National Press Club, BNS Centre in Uttara, Mirpur 10, ECB Chatter in Mirpur, Rampura and Mohakhali.
Students of private universities held a rally in front of the Dhaka Reporters Unity at around 2.30pm to press home their nine-point demand, including release of detained students.
Though they were scheduled to hold the rally in front of the National Press Club (NPC), they had to change the venue in the face of police interception.
Also for the same reason, Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigoshthi held a protest rally opposite the NPC instead of in front, according to a statement issued by the cultural organisation.
They were scheduled to hold the rally on Monday afternoon to protest the "state crackdown on students and shooting the masses centering students' peaceful movement seeking quota reform".
The Udichi members started gathering in front of the NPC along with sound systems to stage cultural protest. Police barred. Later they took position opposite the NPC and sang protest songs there.
The FE Chattogram correspondent adds: Several clashes between police and agitating students took place in the port city's Jamal Khan Road and Kajirdewri between 3 pm and 5 pm while 10 to 15 students were injured.
Clashes started in Cheragi Pahar point at Jamal Khan area. At one stage, police lobbed teargas shells to disperse the students who tried to bring out procession from Cheragi Pahar area at around 3 pm. The students were scheduled to hold a protest programme at Jamal Khan Press Club of the city around 3 pm. Although they gathered for that purpose, the students moved away due to police obstruction and detention. At the time some three people were arrested by the police
Additional Deputy Commissioner of Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) Kazi Tarek Aziz said, "Permission from the police should be obtained in case of gatherings or holding any programme. But the students did not take any permission from the police. Besides, curfew is relaxed in the day. During the curfew situation, despite it is relaxed, no gatherings can be held. If someone violates the law and organizes the program, the police will deal with the matter legally with utmost patience."
In a latest development, the anti-discrimination students' platform in the quota- reform movement on Monday night announced a fresh programme of launching their campaign, individually or group-wise, wearing red cloth on their faces and eyes and publishing them online.