Protesters gather at DU, pvt univ students block Pragati Sarani

Protesters have gathered in front of the Raju Memorial Monument on the Dhaka University campus to hold a rally against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's remarks about the movement demanding quota reform.

Some protesters alleged that when some quota activists were coming to join the rally from Eden Mohila College, some BCL leaders of the college unit obstructed them by locking the gate, triggering a clash around 12:30 pm.

Later, they came out of the college with the help of some Dhaka College students.

Students of Dhaka University and other universities and colleges across the country erupted in protest late Sunday night, sparked by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's criticism of the movement opposing the reinstatement of quotas in government jobs.

Responding to a call from the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, students from Dhaka University took to the streets in a protest march at around 10:45 pm. Students from all residential halls, including the women's halls, participated in the march.

Earlier on Sunday, during a press conference at Ganabhaban regarding her visit to China, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina criticized those opposing the quota for freedom fighters.

She said, "Why do they harbour so much resentment against the valiant freedom fighters? The grandchildren of freedom fighters don't get jobs, the grandchildren of Rajakars will get them? This is my question to the nation."

Apart from the students of public universities, students of private universities have also joined the protests seeking quota reform on Monday.

Students of several private universities have blocked Pragati Sarani at places including Kuril intersection, Bashundhara residential area, and Natun Bazar.

Hundreds of students from United International University gathered and participated in this movement. Meanwhile, traffic in the Natun Bazar area was completely stopped, causing suffering for the common people.

According to the police, an adequate number of policemen have been deployed in the new market area in view of the students' movement. They are trying to bring the situation under control.

DMP Badda Zone Assistant Police Commissioner Rajan Kumar Saha said, "The students of United International University are protesting by blocking the road. We have told the students to get off the road. An adequate number of policemen have been deployed at the spot to control the situation."