Special Correspondent
At least four people were killed and dozens were injured yesterday as clashes took place during nationwide protests demanding the abolition of quota in government jobs.
Meanwhile, hundreds of quota reform protesters from private universities and colleges in Dhaka city blocked various roads in the capital, including Pragati Sarani, Motijheel Shapla Chattar, Uttara, and Beribadh roads this morning. Quota protesters also blocked highways and railways across the country, including in Cumilla, Gazipur, Kushtia, Chattogram, and Rangpur, in protest of attacks on students during yesterday's protest and the reformation of the quota system. The widespread demonstrations began this morning following violent attacks on quota protesters at public universities across the country yesterday (15 July). Over 300 students were injured in the attacks on quota protesters allegedly by the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) activists on university campuses, according to the movement coordinates, doctors, and university officials.
BGB deployed
The Border Guard Bangladesh, in a press statement in the evening, said platoons of BGB members have been deployed in Dhaka, Rajshahi, Chattogram and Bogura.
Among the districts, at least four platoons of BGB members have been deployed in Rajshahi and two platoons in Bogura amid the reports of deadly clashes between quota protesters, police and political wings - BCL, Jubo League- of the ruling Awami League, the Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner of BGB Dewan Md Humayun Kabir has confirmed to .
immediately could not confirm how many platoons were deployed in Dhaka and Chattogram.
Railway disrupted
Agitating students demanding quota reforms have blocked rail lines at several locations, including Dhaka's Mohakhali, leading to a halt in train services.
According to railway officials, at least nine trains have been stranded in and out of the capital since 4:30pm.
Kamalapur Station Master Anwar Hossain informed , "At least six trains, including the Rajshahi Express, Chottola Express, Suborna Express, and Sirajganj Express, are stuck at Kalampur Station. Additionally, three trains heading towards Dhaka, namely the Banalata Express, Chilahati Express, and Silk City Express, are stranded on the tracks midway."
Student killed in Dhaka amid quota reform protests
A 25-year-old male was killed after being injured in a clash allegedly between members of the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) and quota reform activists near Dhaka College in the capital.
This afternoon, he was brought to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital where the on-duty doctor declared him dead, Inspector Bachchu Mia, in charge of the DMCH police outpost, confirmed the matter to .
The identity of the deceased could not be confirmed immediately.
Quota reform protesters have blocked off the Kushtia-Jhenaidah Highway near the Mojompur Rail Gate area in Kushtia. The blockade began at around 3:30pm with hundreds of students from Kushtia District School. Later students from the Islamic University and other adjacent educational institutions joined the school students.
Two dead, several injured in Ctg
At least two people were killed during a clash between quota protesters and activists of BCL and Jubo League in Chattogram.
Their bodies have been sent to the Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH), the hospital's Director Brigadier General Md Tasleem Uddin confirmed to this afternoon.
At least nine other injured students have also been brought to the hospital, he said, adding that the wounded are being treated at various wards of the hospital.
Meanwhile, CMCH's Emergency Department officials said among the deceased, one is a student, and another is a pedestrian.
Student dies at quota protest in Rangpur
A student has died reportedly during a clash between quota reform protest and police in Rangpur today (16 July).
The deceased was identified as Abu Saif, a student of the 12th batch of the Department of English Department of Begum Rokeya University.
The Dean of the Management Department of the university Dr Matiur Rahman confirmed the matter to The Business Standard.
Chase and counter-chase between protesters and the Chhatra League activist has begun in Chankarpool.
Reports have been coming out of students being injured in clashes between the BCL and quota protesters. Photos coming out of the spot shows injured students being carried by others.
Quota protesters take positions in front of the Central Shaheed Minar at DU. Students from adjacent universities and colleges are joining them.
Why are AL leaders on DU campus?
Leaders and activists of the ruling Awami League have also joined the BCL rally in front of the Raju Sculpture at Dhaka University.
They have been in position for a few hours. Speaking to The Business Standard, Dhaka South Ward-21 Councilor Mohammad Asaduzzaman said, "We have taken a position here so that no one can create any untoward situation. If the agitators do any activity that affects the movement of people, we will suppress it strictly. It is better if they protest peacefully, otherwise we will look into the matter."
DU proctorial body conducting drive against outsiders; confiscating any weapons
The DU proctorial body is conducting a drive against outsiders on the campus. At around 4:00pm in the afternoon, the Teacher Student Committee, under the leadership of the DU proctor, started the campaign to identify outsiders and detain them.
Meanwhile, when The Business Standard inquired about the Chhatra League rally at the foot of the Raju sculpture, the proctor said, "We are conducting our own operation without law-and-order forces. We are doing our best. We are asking the outsiders to leave. We are also confiscating any sticks and weapons that we find people carrying."
BCL, Jubo League and Awami League men, alongside police, can be seen gathering in Chankarpool. Meanwhile, quota reform activists have congregated on Shahidullah Hall and Shaheed Minar. The two sides are facing each other off. Although no fights have broken out, the situation is tense.
The Chhatra League and quota protesters clashed in the port city again today (16 July) around 3:30pm.
The clash took place in the city's Muradpur area. The Business Standard reporter at the scene can confirm that at least 10-12 people were injured during the round of violence.
The protestors were supposed to protest at 3:30pm at the city's Sholoshahar Station.
But before noon, leaders and activists of Chhatra League, Jubo League and other organisations took positions in front of the railway station under the leadership of Nurul Azam Roni, former general secretary of the city unit of Chhatra League.
After hearing about the BCL gathering, protesters instead began their rally in Muradpur.
Then around 3:30pm, the Chhatra League took out a procession there as well. Brickbats were thrown and homemade bombs were exploded.
At one point, the Chhatra League retreated and fled.
Khan Talat Mahmud Rafi, coordinator of the ongoing quota reform movement in Chittagong University, said, "The agitators have taken up position in Muradpur because the Chhatra League has taken over our pre-arranged place. But they came to Muradpur and attacked the students. Later, in the face of students' anger, the BCL fled."
Santosh Kumar Chakma, officer-in-charge of Panchlaish police station, said additional police have been deployed at the scene.
"We are trying to avoid conflict."
BCL members have gathered in the TSC area of Dhaka University for their pre-announced rally. Many of them can be seen standing with sticks in their hands and helmets on their head. The student wing of the ruling Awami League began its protest rally at 3:45pm. BCL activists from Dhaka Metropolitan North, Dhaka College, Titumir College and other units have joined the programme.
A number of homemade bombs can be heard going off in the Science Lab area as activists of the BCL and Jubo League clash.
Chase and counter-chase between protesters and alleged BCL men can be seen in Dhaka's Science Lab area.
Quota reform protesters gathered in front of Shahidullah Hall of Dhaka University. Students are gathering in various locations of DU with batons and indigenous weapons.
Journalists are being interrogated if they are seen taking out their phones or cards. Students are also checking their phone.
In the capital's Science Lab area, clashes are going on between BCL and students of Dhaka College and City College.
