Staff Correspondent
With protesters demanding quota reforms in civil service jobs calling for a "complete shutdown" for Thursday, vehicles were moving normally in Dhaka in the morning, albeit in reduced numbers compared to other days.
Areas such as Agargaon, Shewrapara, Mirpur, Kalyanpur, Shyamoli, Asad Gate, Mohammadpur, Farmgate, Kawran Bazar, Banglamotor, Panthapath, Dhanmondi, Science Lab and Shahbagh exhibited similar scenes.
Police activity in these areas was relatively lax, though RAB patrols were visible on Mirpur Road. Law enforcement was deployed in significant numbers at key points throughout the city.
At around 11am, there was a noticeable number of BGB and police personnel in a heightened state of alert near Science Lab. They were questioning anyone they deemed suspicious and detained two suspected protesters for questioning around 15 minutes later.
Senior police officials on site declined to comment on the situation.
(July 18). The Discrimination-Free Student Movement announced this program to protest the "heinous attacks" on students by the police, BGB, RAB, and SWAT, demanding justice for the killings, ensuring terrorism-free campuses, and a single-point demand. However, there were no reports of picketing by the protesters in any part of the capital. While most shops in the New Market and Science Lab areas were closed, vehicles were seen moving normally, albeit in reduced numbers compared to other days.
Abu Taleb, assistant police commissioner of the DMP's Dhanmondi Zone, said two killings had occurred in the Science Lab area in connection with the quota reform movement, adding that police were on high alert to prevent any further disturbances.
In the morning, while alleys in Agargaon and Mirpur areas had open shops, the main roads were largely empty.
Local markets and shopping malls had limited entry points open. Some roadside shops were open, while others remained closed.
Shopkeepers mentioned opening with caution due to concerns and noted significantly fewer customers than usual. They also indicated readiness to close if the situation worsened.
Meanwhile, most shops in the Science Lab and New Market areas remained closed, whereas Kawran Bazar, typically one of the busiest areas, had open shops but noticeably fewer customers.
The number of vehicles on the roads was significantly lower than usual. There were also fewer passengers and pedestrians, with public transport being even scarcer.
This caused considerable inconvenience for those with urgent matters to attend to, as passengers had to wait and jostle to board the occasional buses.
"I came from Rangpur to complete processing for going abroad. I finally found a bus after a long wait and had to struggle to reach my destination," said Sagar, a young man heading from Basila to Square Hospital.
Similarly, Mohammad Kayem, travelling with his brother-in-law for a medical test, said they were dropped off in Nabinagar early in the morning and then struggled to find a bus from Gabtoli. “Eventually, we got one and are hoping to return home without further issues."
Bus drivers and their assistants said fewer buses were being dispatched from the stands due to low passenger demand, which they felt was sufficient to accommodate the number of commuters on the roads.
