At least six people, including three students in Chattogram, two in Dhaka, and one in Rangpur, were killed in clashes across Bangladesh on Tuesday as the quota reform movement intensified, spreading nationwide from public to private universities and resulting in hundreds of injuries.
In Chattogram, three students were killed during a clash between protesters and activists from the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) and Jubo League, while in Rangpur, a student died in a clash with the police. In Dhaka, the victims died amid clashes in front of Dhaka College.
Among the deceased in Chattogram, three have been identified as Md Farooq, 32, Md Wasim, 22 and Faisal Ahmed Shanto, 24. Farooq was an employee of a furniture shop, Wasim was a third-year sociology student at Chittagong College. He was also the joint convener of the college's Chhatra Dal unit. Faisal Ahmed Shanto was a student of Omargani MES College.
Abu Sayeed, who died in Rangpur, was a student in the Department of English at Begum Rokeya University. Both Farooq and Sayeed, and Faisal Ahmed Shanto in Chattogram, suffered bullet wounds. The nature of the injuries sustained by Wasim remains unknown.
The identities of the two deceased in Dhaka could not be verified. Both were taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared them dead due to critical head injuries.
Education institutions closed, HSC exams postponed
In light of the situation, MA Khair, public relations officer of Ministry of Education on Tuesday through a press release announced that all education institutions under the education ministry, including secondary and higher secondary levels and polytechnic institutes, will remain closed until further notice to ensure the safety of students.
Additionally, Professor Tapan Kumar Sarkar, chairman of Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, also announced through a press release that Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and its equivalent examinations in all boards across the country on July 18 will be postponed due to unavoidable reasons, with the revised schedule to be announced later.
Contingents of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) were deployed in Dhaka, Chattogram, Bogura, and Rajshahi to manage the situation.
Widespread clashes
Sporadic clashes erupted at universities in Dhaka, Chattogram, Barishal, and other areas from the morning, involving police and Chhatra League members, as quota reform activists launched their scheduled nationwide agitation programme. The unrest spread to many parts of the country, with students from colleges and private universities also joining the protests in some places.
On Tuesday in Dhaka, four students from Jagannath University were shot and wounded during a protest procession that started from the university around 3:30pm. Witnesses reported that as the students marched towards Ray Shaheb Bazar, gunshots were fired from an alley, injuring four students.
At Dhaka University, Assistant Proctor Professor Abdul Muhith was injured when protesting students attacked the university's proctorial team, who had been asking people to leave the campus via loudspeaker. The attack occurred in front of the Central Shaheed Minar around 4:40pm when the proctorial team arrived and asked outsiders to vacate the campus.
As of 9:37pm, most quota protesters at the DU campus had returned to their dorms, though several remained in the area, according to sources. Nearly all DU quota protesters, armed with sticks and iron rods, were demonstrating in front of the Dhaka University vice-chancellor's residence amidst a substantial police presence after a day-long demonstration. They were shouting slogans such as, "Why were my brothers killed? We want answers from the administration."
During the protest, they assaulted a person they suspected to be a Chhatra League activist. The severely injured individual was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for treatment.
After evening, a significant number of police officers were deployed on the campus. In Old Dhaka's Chankharpool area, clashes between protesting students and leaders of the local Chhatra League and Jubo League continued for hours, resulting in several injuries. At least four people were shot and taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) for treatment.
Meanwhile, students from North South University (NSU), BRAC University (BracU), and Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) blocked the Merul Badda road and the road in front of Jamuna Future Park. Protesters from various educational institutions also blocked roads in key areas of the capital since morning, including Science Lab, Dhanmondi, Mirpur-10, Mirpur-14, Merul Badda, Bashundhara Residential Area, and in front of Jatrabari's Kajla area, crippling traffic movement.
The Science Laboratory area turned into a battlefield as sporadic clashes erupted between quota protesters, mainly college students, and Chhatra League activists. At least 100 individuals, including protesters and BCL activists, were injured in the clashes.
Rail disruptions
Rail communication with Dhaka was disrupted as protesters blocked lines at various points. The students blocked the railway line in the capital’s Mohakhali area at around 2pm, severing train communication between Dhaka and the rest of the country. Rail communication began to normalise around 8pm after the students cleared the area.
Quota protesters have blocked 29 points, including metro and rail links in Dhaka, said Habibur Rahman, Commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), this evening.
"We have deployed our forces and are using strategic measures to maintain law and order. Although there have been incidents of violence, the police are avoiding the use of force," he told the media.
"A police sergeant and a constable were injured, and the police outpost in the Science Lab area was damaged, but we have exercised restraint and not used any force," he stated.
"In every instance, we have attempted to manage the situation by requesting the protesters to disperse. Sometimes, we had to involve local influential figures and teachers to help persuade the students," he added.
Chattogram clashes
Our Chattogram correspondent reports that the Muradpur-Sholashahar area of the city turned into a battleground due to clashes between quota reform activists and members of the Chhatra League and Jubo League. Cocktail explosions were heard intermittently, and some individuals were seen wielding small arms. However, law enforcement officers were notably absent from the scene.
Rangpur protest, Rajshahi blockade
In Rangpur, students from Begum Rokeya University (BRUR) marched from the city’s Lalbagh area towards the campus as part of the quota reform movement. They were stopped by police as they tried to enter the campus, leading to clashes. The police fired rubber bullets at the protesters, resulting in the death of one student.
Responding to a query, Rangpur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Md Moniruzzaman said, “Students from various schools, colleges, and other educational institutions joined the anti-quota protests. They clashed with the police. Many policemen have been injured. I heard that one died, but I cannot say how.”
Following the death of student Abu Sayeed in Rangpur, students of Begum Rokeya University became enraged. This afternoon, around 5:30pm, the campus and surrounding areas turned into a battlefield. The agitated students set fire to the vice-chancellor's residence, and the ground floor of the two-story building was vandalised.
During this time, the vice-chancellor, the general secretary of the Teachers' Association, and at least 20 other teachers, officials, and staff were trapped on the second floor of the residence. Outside, five vehicles, including those belonging to the vice-chancellor and the pro-vice-chancellor, were set on fire.
In Rajshahi, students of Varendra University blocked the Rajshahi-Dhaka highway. They took position on the highway in front of the main gate of the university around 12pm, halting traffic on both sides, reports our correspondent from the spot.
Political support, gov’t warning
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Chatra Dal (JCD), the student wing of BNP, announced on Tuesday that they would support the common students who are staging demonstrations across the country against the quota system in government jobs to realise their demands.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan warned on Tuesday that no one engaging in destructive activities under the guise of anti-quota protests would be spared. “We have no issue with them protesting against the quota system. However, if they engage in vandalism or destructive activities, under anyone’s influence or leadership, we will not spare them," he said while speaking to journalists at the Secretariat.
Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq stated that the government would not make any decisions on the quota issue bypassing the apex court. “When a matter reaches the court, the government waits for the court’s decision. So, the government will wait till the court’s judgment. The government will respect the apex court of the country and will consider whatever judgment the apex court gives,” he said.
Legal proceedings
Students protested the High Court judgment on June 5 that scrapped a 2018 circular abolishing the quota system for government jobs, staging demonstrations at various educational institutions, including Dhaka University. They took to the streets on July 1, demanding the reinstatement of the 2018 circular. The protests intensified across the country from July 4 after the Appellate Division did not stay the HC verdict following a government petition. The protesters are continuing their demonstrations, demanding reforms to the quota system through the formulation of a law.
Amid the situation, the government and two Dhaka University students moved two petitions before the Appellate Division seeking a stay on the HC verdict. On July 10, the Appellate Division directed the parties to maintain the status quo regarding the subject matter of the case until the filing of civil petitions for leave to appeal.
