DMP to go tough on road-blocking protests

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) issued a warning on Thursday, stating that they will take strict action against anyone causing public nuisance by blocking roads in the name of demonstrations following the highest court’s ruling on the quota issue.

DMP’s Additional Commissioner (Crime and Operations) Dr Kh Mahid Uddin emphasised that the police would enforce the law rigorously in such cases.

This warning came after the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court ordered a one-month status quo on the High Court's judgment regarding the quota system in government jobs.

Protesters, demanding the abolition of the quota system and the reinstatement of the 2018 circular, are holding a 'Bangla Blockade' across the country, including Dhaka.

A five-judge bench of the Appellate Division, led by Chief Justice Obaidul Hasan, passed the order on Wednesday. Lawyers explained that this order keeps the 2018 circular in effect.

Kh Mahid Uddin stated that, following the Supreme Court's status quo order, the DMP believes there is no rationale for demonstrations causing public disruption. He expressed the police's sympathy for the protesters but stressed the importance of respecting the country's laws and the Supreme Court's decision. "Since the students are educated, I humbly request on behalf of DMP that they don't organise programmmes causing public suffering," he said.

Despite this, the protesting students have announced their intention to continue their 'Bangla Blockade' programmme across the country starting at 3:30pm Thursday.