Violent clashes between rival student groups at Dhaka University yesterday resulted in at least 100 injuries, as demonstrators opposing the quota system for government jobs battled with counter-protesters loyal to the ruling Awami League party, according to police.
Hundreds of anti-quota protesters and students supporting the Awami League fought for hours on the university campus, hurling rocks, wielding sticks, and beating each other with iron rods. Witnesses reported some protesters carrying machetes and throwing petrol bombs.
The quota system reserves more than half of the well-paid civil service positions, totalling hundreds of thousands of government jobs, for specific groups, including the children of heroes from the country’s 1971 liberation war from Pakistan.
"They clashed with sticks and threw rocks at each other," said Mostajirur Rahman, the local police station chief
Masud Mia, a police inspector, reported that “around 100 students including women” were injured and taken to the hospital. “More people are coming,” he added.
The protests began earlier this month, with students demanding a merit-based system for government jobs. Despite the top court suspending the quota scheme, the demonstrations have continued. Anti-quota protesters blamed students loyal to the ruling party for the violence.
"They attacked our peaceful procession with rods, sticks, and rocks," said Nahid Islam, the national coordinator of the anti-quota protests,. They beat our female protesters. At least 150 students were injured including 30 women, and the conditions of 20 students are serious."
Sticks, Machetes, Iron Rods
Critics argue that the quota system benefits children of pro-government groups who support Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Hasina, 76, secured her fourth consecutive general election victory in January in a vote without genuine opposition parties, following a major crackdown against her political opponents who boycotted the poll.
Injured student Shahinur Shumi, 26, recounted the attack from her hospital bed at Dhaka Medical Hospital. "We were holding our procession peacefully," she said. "Suddenly, the Chhatra League (the ruling party student wing) attacked us with sticks, machetes, iron rods, and bricks."
Hundreds of students from several private universities joined the protests in Dhaka, halting traffic near the US embassy for more than four hours. "Some 200 students squatted and stood on the road," said deputy police commissioner Hasanuzzaman Molla
Thousands of students marched in a dozen universities overnight Sunday into the early hours of Monday, protesting against Hasina’s disparaging comments. Protesters said they were compared to collaborators of the Pakistani army during Bangladesh’s war of independence. "This is unacceptable," said a female student from Dhaka University, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisal. "We want a reform of the quota system so that meritorious students can get a fair chance."
Violence also erupted during protests in Bangladesh’s second city, Chittagong, late on Sunday, according to anti-quota students. Khan Talat Mahmud Rafy, the organizer, reported that two fellow protesters were injured. "Dozens of Chhatra League activists attacked one of our processions," Rafy said.
Students are demanding that only the quotas supporting ethnic minorities and disabled people—six per cent of jobs—should remain. Bangladesh has experienced significant economic growth, averaging over six per cent annually since 2009, but economists highlight an acute job crisis for millions of university graduates.
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