Staff Correspondent
Commuters in Dhaka are facing significant challenges as public transport on the city's main roads has drastically reduced due to protests and blockades by students.
The protests were sparked by an attack by the Chhatra League and demands for reform of the government job quota system.
On Tuesday, the shortage of rickshaws, auto-rickshaws, and buses was evident on the streets. As a result, students are resorting to using pickup trucks to reach protest sites.
Quota reform protests: Dhaka disappointed by Washington’s unverified claimsQuota reform protests: Dhaka disappointed by Washington’s unverified claims
Protesters advocating for quota reform have blocked various key points in the capital, including Kuril Bishwa Road, Bashundhara Residential Area, Notun Bazar, Merul Badda, Banani, Gabtoli, Mohammadpur, Shani Akhra, Science Lab, and Birulia in Savar.
In response to attacks allegedly carried out by Chhatra League on students demanding quota reform, the Students Against Discrimination movement has called for protests on campuses across the country on Tuesday, as the ruling Awami League’s student wing is set to hold its own protests.
One of the coordinators of the student movement, Nahid Islam, announced the protest plans during a press conference on Monday, near Dhaka University’s Dr Muhammad Shahidullah Hall.
Quota reform protests: Students block several points of Dhaka-Barisal HighwayQuota reform protests: Students block several points of Dhaka-Barisal Highway
Meanwhile, Chhatra League President Saddam Hussain, while talking with the media at the Raju Memorial Sculpture later that night, declared that his organization would also hold protests at 1:30pm the same day at all universities nationwide.
Tens of thousands of students have been demonstrating across Bangladesh for several days, demanding the abolition of quotas in favour of a merit-based system for civil service jobs.
