Students — as part of their ongoing movement demanding quota reform — took up positions in front of BRAC University in the city’s Merul Badda area.
Students started gathering in the area around 10:30am on Thursday. When the police attempted to remove them from the road, a chase and counter-chase triggered between the law enforcers and protesters.
The police then tried to disperse the protestors with tear gas. Traffic stopped in the Merul Badda area following this incident.
Till the filing of this report, hundreds of vehicles were seen stuck on the road due to the students' blockade. Students were chanting various slogans in support of their movement. BRAC students were chased by the police at one stage of their siege.
At that time, the students retreated, but later they rushed towards the police. Students continued to throw bricks at the police personnel. At one point, the police lobbed sound grenades. Students are currently staying inside the BRAC University.
Protesters had also clashed with the police at Dhaka University and Shanir Akhra areas in the capital on Wednesday.
The same day, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina addressed the nation in the evening, assuring that the students will get justice from the High Court, and they should not be disappointed.
On Wednesday night, Boisommo Birodhi Chhatra Andolan announced a “complete shutdown” programme in the country.
According to the programme, only the hospitals and emergency services will remain operational in the country, and no vehicles except ambulances will be allowed on the roads.
