The reopening of educational institutions from pre-primary to higher secondary levels may be delayed. Students, who have been protesting against the quota system in government jobs, are now demanding punishment for those responsible for the recent student deaths as they vowed to continue their movement until their demands are met.
Abdul Kader, a coordinator of the Baishamya Birodhi Chhatra Andolan, the platform leading the movement, said in a press release that they will continue with their cause across the nation until the killers of the students receive their punishment.
Meanwhile, Education Minister Mohibul Hassan Chowdhoury Nowfel on Monday at the secretariat confirmed that the government has not yet taken any decision regarding the reopening of educational institutions.
“The overall situation of the country was discussed in the cabinet meeting. However, no decision has been reached regarding the reopening of educational institutions. After the situation normalises, all institutions will be reopened,” the minister said.
Sources at the education ministry indicated that there were plans to reopen educational institutions this week, anticipating that the students would cease their protests following the Supreme Court's verdict on quota reform. The ministry has also postponed the Higher Secondary Certificate examinations scheduled for July 18.
Earlier on July 21, the apex court ordered major reforms to the quota system in jobs at government, semi-government and autonomous bodies, curtailing quotas to only seven per cent from the existing 56 percentage. According to the SC order, 93 per cent of jobs in the civil service will be merit-based.
General students protested the quota allocations since July 1, escalating to violent clashes with Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) supporters and law enforcement on July 10. Hundreds were killed and thousands injured in the clashes. The agitating students demand justice, compensation for the deceased, and jobs for the victims' families.
Detaining & lifting
However, the government did not meet their demands. Taking the agitations even further, the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) picked up six quota movement coordinators, claiming to provide them with additional security. Those held in custody announced halting the movement from the DB office on July 28. However, other coordinators, claiming the statements were made under duress, denied and announced the continuation of the quota reform movement.
As per the announcement, the agitating students staged several demonstrations since Monday morning at the capital's Science Laboratory intersection (Sciencelab) and Mirpur areas. Armed policemen lifted and detained at least 34 individuals from the areas mentioned above. The uniformed gunmen also lifted 12 students in front of the North South University.
Policemen were seen interrogating and checking their mobile phones, a direct violation of an individual’s constitutional rights if not shown any warrants or executive documentation.
