JU students defy police obstruction, block Dhaka-Aricha highway for 3 hours
Jahangirnagar University (JU) students protesting against the quota system in government jobs have withdrawn their blockade of the Dhaka-Aricha highway after three hours today (11 July).
The protesting students said they will continue the movement until their demands are met.
Condemning the police attack on Comilla University students, the protesting students urged the police to stand in solidarity with the people's demands and to stop the attacks.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Abdur Rashid Jitu, joint convenor of the JU unit of the Anti-Discriminatory Student Movement, said, "Our sole demand is the reformation of the quota system, ensuring a maximum 5% quota for the children of minorities, backward communities, and freedom fighters."
As previously announced, the JU students blocked both lanes of the Dhaka-Aricha highway in front of the main gate of the university at 4:00pm under the banner "Anti-Discriminatory Students' Movement". Later, they withdrew the blockade around 6:45pm.
A large number of police also took positions near the university entrance during the blockade programme.
Earlier, Jahangirnagar University students started gathering in front of the central library from 2:50pm. Subsequently, they staged a protest march, reaching the university's main gate around 4:30pm and then they blocked the Dhaka-Aricha highway.
Meanwhile, the university proctor requested the students to continue their protest within the campus premises.
Earlier in the day, police have warned that it will take action in accordance with the law if anyone causes public suffering as the relevant court has already given a verdict on the quota system.
