Protesters attempt to gather at 6 locations in Dhaka

Protesters were trying to hold demonstrations against the recent violence at the ECB intersection, Science Laboratory, Dhanmondi-1 and 2, New Market and Badda

File Photo

Protesters demonstrating against the recent violence surrounding the quota reform protests have attempted to gather in at least six Dhaka locations as part of a programme called by some members of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.

Protesters gathered at the ECB intersection, Science Laboratory, Dhanmondi-1, Dhanmondi-2, in front of New Market, and Badda for a short time.

This led to some unrest and traffic congestion in these areas. Police then began redirecting traffic from the Gonoshasthaya Kendra on Mirpur Road.

“The quota reform movement has withdrawn its programme,” said Rajon Kumar Saha, assistant police commissioner on duty in the Badda area. “Those trying to take to the streets now are criminals.”

“We are taking measures to protect the public and its property as best we can.”

A protest programme at 11am on Monday was announced late on Sunday night.

On Sunday, six convenors of the quota protest movement released a video statement while in the custody of the police Detective Branch, calling for the protest movement to end.

But three other coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement – Abdul Hannan Masud, Mahin Sarkar, and assistant convenor Rifat Rashid – said they rejected the call to end the movement and announced fresh protest programmes for Monday.

Students from several private universities in Dhaka announced their solidarity with the protests.

Law enforcers across Dhaka were on alert on Monday morning following the announcement.

There was a large deployment of police in Dhaka’s Uttara, in front of the Jatiya Press Club, in Naya Paltan, Mirpur-10, the Science Laboratory area, and other important points in the capital.