Siege at Shahbagh over quota abolishing

Student demonstration at Shahbagh intersection, Dhaka on 4 October. Photo: Shuvra Kanti Das
Student demonstration at Shahbagh intersection, Dhaka on 4 October. Photo: Shuvra Kanti Das

Children of freedom fighters on Thursday blocked Dhaka city’s Shahbagh intersection, demanding reversal of the government decision to abolish quota system in public service.

They want the government retain 30 per cent quota privileges for them in government jobs.

Around 50-60 demonstrators under the banner of Muktijoddha Sangsad Santan Command, a platform of freedom fighters’ children, laid the siege at the intersection since Thursday morning.

Student demonstration at Shahbagh intersection, Dhaka on 4 October. Photo: Shuvra Kanti Das
Student demonstration at Shahbagh intersection, Dhaka on 4 October. Photo: Shuvra Kanti Das

The blockade of the interaction created traffic congestion in roads connected to Shahbagh. The assistant traffic commissioner on duty at Shahbagh confirmed that there is a demonstration there.

The children of the freedom fighters began the protest on Wednesday evening, hours after the cabinet approved recommendation for scrapping the quota system for class I and II jobs.

“We will hold demonstration again on Saturday and we will continue to do so, until our demands are met,” said Sheikh Atiqur Rahman, president of the platform.