Anti-quota protesters have announced that they will continue the Bangla Blockade protest across the country tomorrow (11 July) at 3pm.
The announcement came after ending today’s blockade at around 7:30pm, which began at 10am.
Nahid Islam, one of the coordinators of the protest, announced the plan on Wednesday (10 July) evening at Shahbagh intersection.
Students across the country staged protest rallies, blocking all key intersections of Dhaka, rail links between Dhaka and the rest of the country, and major highways to press home their one-point demand for quota reform in government jobs.
Dhaka University students blocked the Shahbagh, Paribagh, Banglamotor, Karwan Bazar, Farmgate, Nayapaltan, and Chankarpool intersections. They also blocked the Karwan Bazar rail crossing by placing wood and forming a human chain.
Students of DU-affiliated seven colleges staged their protest rally, blocking the Science Laboratory intersection in the capital.
Meanwhile, Jagannath University (JnU) students blocked Zero Point in Dhaka, one of the most important areas of the city, which includes the secretariat.
In Cumilla, students from Cumilla University blocked the Dhaka-Chattogram highway at Kotbari Bishwa Road around 11am, causing a long tailback on both sides of the highway. Additional police were deployed to maintain law and order.
In Khulna, students from Brajalal College (BL) took to the streets at Natun Rasta around 10am as part of the Bangla Blockade. They also blocked railway tracks in the city, halting train communications.
Similarly, students from Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) barricaded railway tracks, halting the Dewanganj-bound 'Teesta Express' from Dhaka at Jabbarer Mor around 10:45am, suspending train services. They also marched on campus to support the Bangla Blockade.
Barishal University students blocked the Barishal-Kuakata road while Jahangirnagar University (JU) students blocked the Dhaka-Aricha highway.
In solidarity with the protest, several universities and colleges blocked their adjacent roads and highways.
The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court issued today (10 July) a status quo for four weeks regarding the High Court’s earlier order to reinstate the quota system in government jobs.
However, protesters continued their demonstration, calling the verdict a farce.
Anti-Discrimination Student Movement Coordinator Sarjis Alam said, "Our demand is directed at the executive division of the government. But what the court is doing is delaying, adjourning—a month, two months, a week—these are extremely farce."
