Protesters demanding quota reforms in government jobs carried out demonstrations in different public universities, including the Dhaka University campus, for the second straight day. At least 70 students were injured in Jahangirnagar University and five journalists were assaulted in the Dhaka University area during the programme yesterday. Students and job seekers carried out their programmes including sit-ins, road blockades, and marches on streets, and even boycotted classes in all public universities. Their only slogan was ‘Reform the existing quota system in public jobs’. While carrying out demonstrations, they got locked in clashes with law enforcement personnel, which left around 70 students injured.

But the protesters said they would not leave the street until the government announces a revision of the existing quota system because they think it is

discriminatory for meritorious students interested in getting government jobs.

Under the quota system, 30% seats are reserved for descendants of freedom fighters, 10% zila quota, 10% quota for women, and 5% quota for ethnic minorities. If this combined 55% quota is not filled, 1% goes to the physically challenged.

Over 50 students of Jahangirnagar University were injured as police fired rubber bullets and tear gas at the blockade on Dhaka-Aricha highway.

Of the injured, at least 20 were undergoing treatment at different clinics and hospitals in Savar.

JU vice-chancellor Prof. Farzana Islam rushed to the spot and expressed solidarity with the protesters. She assured them of talking with the government on the issue and urged everyone to refrain from any destructive activity. After her assurance the students stepped back from the demonstration.

At least five reporters and camera persons of different media houses were assaulted by some of the demonstrators.

The reporter and cameraman of Independent TV was physically assaulted in Dhaka University area. During the attack, the attackers kept shouting that the media was publishing fake news on their protest, our correspondent reported.

Camera crew of ATN News and Channel 24 were also assaulted, while Ekattor TV crew were driven away from the spot as they tried to continue their reporting. Channel 24 camera person Ripu Ahmed was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital after he was injured in the assault.

Meanwhile, the central committee leaders of the quota-reformation demonstration told reporters that those who attacked the journalists were outsiders. They also urged the protesters gathered there not to attack the media.

Hundreds of demonstrators were active in the Dhaka University campus. They gathered in front of the Dhaka University Central Library in the morning.

Rashed Khan, joint convener of the Bangladesh General Students’ Rights Protection Forum demanded release of the detained.

“Since February 17 we have been holding the programme. We did it on Sunday. But the police attack us without any provocation. We took shelter in different areas of DU to save ourselves. At least 217 students were injured,” he added.

About the attack on the VC’s residence, he said, “General students did not attack the VC residence. We want an investigation into this to identify the attackers. We condemn the attack.”

The protesters also gave an ultimatum until 3 pm to fulfill their demand, failing which, they said they would carry on their programme.

After the short press conference, the demonstrators paraded through Dhaka University’s TSC, Doyel Chattar and Shahbagh areas.

Terming the attack on Dhaka University vice-chancellor’s residence as “pre-planned and politically motivated”, Dhaka University Teacher’s Association (DUTA), at a press conference, demanded proper investigation and quick trial of the perpetrators.

“The attackers were outsiders who were politically motivated and they carried out the attack wearing masks,” DUTA president Maksud Kamal said at the DU Teacher’s Club yesterday morning.

They first vandalised the CCTV cameras and then launched the attack, the DUTA president said. The teachers will form a human chain in front of Aparajeyo Bangla today morning, to protest the attack, he added.

Students of Jagannath University took to the streets and boycotted classes to protest police action against fellow demonstrators.

Students took position in front of the university’s main gate since 10am, where a large number of police were deployed to tackle any untoward incident.

Students of Chittagong University staged demonstrations at Sholoshohor railway station and halted a shuttle train as part of their countrywide programme.

The coordinator of the protests at Chittagong University, Md Arju, said, “As part of the central programme, we have announced boycotting classes indefinitely. Students of every department and institute have boycotted the classes.”

CU assistant proctor Liton Mitra said, “We’ve heard of the obstruction to the shuttle train. We are taking steps.”

Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) students staged peaceful sit-in protests inside the campus since yesterday morning, pledging their solidarity to the movement.

More than 500 students took part in the sit-in programme, abstaining from classes and exams.

More than 500 students of Rajshahi University took position in front of the university main gate since 10am. The protesters took position in front of the campus, blocking traffic movement on the Dhaka-Rajshahi Highway, creating a huge tailback. Students of Rajshahi University of Science and Technology (RUET) also joined them.

Some teachers were also seen participating in the protest that halted vehicular movement on the highway. In almost a 10-km stretch from Belpukur to Rajshahi rail station, no vehicular movement could be seen due to the blockade.