Students protesting against the quota system in government jobs have announced that there will be no blockade programmes tomorrow.
However, the boycott of classes and exams will continue as they demand the reinstatement of a 2018 order that abolished the quotas.
"There will be no blockade programme tomorrow. We will coordinate with students across the country tomorrow to prepare for a more intense movement on Wednesday," said Nahidul Islam, a student from Dhaka University and one of the organisers of the movement.
"Our ongoing student strike will persist. We have not withdrawn the blockade; instead, we are preparing for a full-scale blockade," he added.
The blockade at Shahbagh was lifted around 8:35pm today after almost four hours of commotion.
He emphasised that the responsibility now lies with the government.
"It is useless to show us [point to] the High Court. The government has to decide how to proceed, possibly through an executive order," Nahidul said.
He also warned against harassment of any students in the residential halls, stating that strict action would be taken against such incidents.
"Representatives have been appointed across the country to ensure this," he said.
Abdul Hasnat, another student leader, affirmed, "The movement will continue until our demands are met. Do not test our patience. We will achieve our rightful demands and return home."
He urged the government to minimise, reform and implement the quotas.
"We want to return to our studies. If any of our brothers get injured on the streets, the responsibility will lie with the authorities," he said.
Sarjis Alam, another coordinator, said, "Success did not come in a week in '52, '69, '71, or '91. It came after a long struggle. Therefore, we must continue the movement with patience."
He questioned the Education Minister's support for the quota system, asking, "Why do you have so much affection for quotas? To make Bangladesh a golden Bengal, the country must be handed over to the meritorious."
The protests have already caused significant disruption, with Dhaka city and 40 other districts experiencing blockades.
"If the issue is not resolved within three days, the entire country will be blockaded," Nahidul Islam warned.
