Clashes erupted between police and students demanding quota reforms in front of BRAC University at Merul Badda.
The standoff began around 10:30am on Thursday (18 July) escalating into a series of confrontations.
By 10:45 am, police deployed tear gas in an attempt to disperse the protesting students.
The protests caused a complete halt to traffic in the Merul Badda area.
At around 11:00am, police entered the Canadian University of Bangladesh's premises while protesters remained outside, leading to significant vandalism of nearby shops and structures.
Meanwhile, in Mirpur 10, a significant police presence, including armoured vehicles, was observed. Most markets and shops from Shewrapara to Mirpur 10 remained closed, and there was a noticeable decline in vehicular and pedestrian movement compared to typical days.
The students are enforcing a complete shutdown, demanding justice for the attacks that lead to the death of 6 protesters and calling for reforms to the quota system. The protesters announced that during this programme, only essential services such as hospitals and media would remain operational.
Yesterday, despite the public holiday, student protests, roadblocks, absentee funeral prayers, coffin processions, and repeated clashes were reported across Dhaka and other regions.
