Students protesting for quota reform in government jobs have announced a new programme - a complete shutdown - across the country today (18 July), in response to the recent attacks by police, BGB, RAB, and SWAT on protesters.
Asif Mahmud, a key coordinator of the Anti-discriminatory Student Movement, which leads the anti-quota protests, announced this programme at 7:30pm on Wednesday (17 July).
He said, "In protest against the heinous attacks, murders, and assurance of a terror-free campus, we are declaring a nationwide complete shutdown for Wednesday."
He added that during this time, all establishments except hospitals and emergency services will remain closed. No vehicles sans ambulances will be allowed on the roads.
"We call upon students from all schools, colleges, government universities, private universities, and madrasas across the country to make tomorrow's programme a success," he said.
Addressing parents, Asif Mahmud said, "We are your children. Stand by us and protect us. This fight is not just for the students but for the entire population of the country, regardless of political affiliation."
The ongoing quota reform movement took a violent turn yesterday (Tuesday), resulting in the deaths of six people. Hundreds of protesting students and members of the BCL were injured in clashes across the country.
Tuesday, at least 40 people, including seven journalists, have been injured in the ongoing quota reform movement on Dhaka University (DU) campus.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged students to remain patient and wait for the verdict from the high court regarding the ongoing quota reform movement during a during a national address on Wednesday (17 July) at 7:30pm.
