A writ petition has been filed with the High Court seeking a ban on the use of firearms against student protesters. The petition also demands the immediate release of students and their relatives detained during the ongoing quota reform movement.
Barrister Anik R Haque filed the petition on Monday morning, seeking an urgent hearing before the High Court. The petition comes amid widespread protests and clashes over the government's quota system for public jobs, which have resulted in multiple deaths.
At least 147 people have lost their lives in violence related to the protests, according to the home minister. The movement, which began on July 1, has seen widespread unrest across the country, with students engaging in clashes with law enforcement.
In a surprising development, six coordinators of the student movement, currently in custody of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Detective Branch, announced the suspension of all protest activities in a video message. However, other movement leaders have publicly disagreed with this decision.
The High Court is expected to hear the writ petition soon.