Hundreds of students were injured in the attack of Chhatra League on quota reform activists in Dhaka University (DU).
Around 3 pm on Monday, a chase started between the protestors and Chhatra League workers in front of Vijay Ekatar Hall of Dhaka University.
Correspondent from the scene said that the clash lasted till 4 pm. Chhatra League leaders and activists were seen beating the protesters with sticks, stumps and iron rods. It caused many injuries.
After visiting DMEC Hospital, this reporter said that 120 injured students have been admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital so far.
A tense situation is prevailing in the Dhaka University campus after the attack. A large number of police have been deployed in the campus after the incident.
Earlier, the quota reform activists gathered in front of Dhaka University’s Raju sculpture to protest Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s speech on the agitation demanding quota reform.
Students of Dhaka University, Jagannath University, BUET, Dhaka College, Eden Women’s College, Dhaka Medical College participated in the protest program.
Some ordinary students complained that when some workers of the quota reform activists came out of Eden Women’s College to join the rally, around 12:30 noon, some leaders of the college’s branch Chhatra League blocked them by locking the gate. This led to a clash between them and several people were injured.
The injured are Saima Afroz, Shahinoor Sumi, Sumaiya Akhtar and Sanjida Haque. One of the injured was immediately admitted to the hospital.
In the face of criticism of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for opposing the restoration of quota in government jobs, students of Dhaka University and other universities and colleges of the country erupted into protests late on Sunday night.
Responding to the call of the anti-discrimination student movement, the students of Dhaka University started a protest march around 11:15 pm. Students from all the halls of residence, including the female hall, participated in the protest.
Earlier, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina criticized those who opposed the freedom fighter quota in a press conference at Ganobhaban regarding her visit to China.
He said, ‘Why are they so angry with the brave freedom fighters? The grandchildren of the freedom fighters will not get jobs, will the grandchildren of Razakar get it? This is my question to the nation.’