Police disperse anti-quota demonstrators from Shahbagh

Police dispersed anti-quota demonstrators from Shahbagh intersection on Sunday evening by using batons and teargas. 

At least five demonstrators were detained and more than 100 injured.

The law enforcers swung into action around 7:50pm after the demonstrators refused to withdraw the blockade from Shahbagh intersection demanding the revision of quota system in government jobs, including BCS examination.

Traffic movement has been disrupted following the agitation since around 2:30pm, causing immense public sufferings.

Earlier, the students, under the banner of General Student’s Right Protection Council (Sadharon Chhatra Odhikar Sangrokkon Parishad) brought out a procession from in front of the Dhaka University Central Library around 2:00pm and gathered at the Shahbagh intersection at 3:05 pm as part of their pre announced countrywide programme. 

As per directions of central anti-quota’s programme leaders, students of Jahangirnagar and Rajshahi universities have also brought out protest processions on the campuses demanding the same.

The demonstrators have a five-point demand including reducing the proportion of quotas in government jobs,  recruitment of jobseekers to vacant posts on the basis of merit if eligible candidates are not found under quota, stopping of special recruitment tests for quota candidates, and ensuring of an unified age limit for all jobseekers.