At least 20 people were injured in a clash between the police and quota protesters near Comilla University (CoU) campus on Thursday.
Sources said the clash took place at around 3:30 pm in Ansar Camp area near the campus, after police tried to obstruct the protesters’ pre-announced 'Bangla Blockade' programme, demanding reforms in the quota system for government jobs.
Officer-in-Charge of Cumilla Sadar South Model Police Station Mohammad Alamgir Bhuiyan said the students attempted to take out a procession near the Ansar camp as part of their ‘Bangla Blockade’ programme and police requested them to go back their campus.
An argument ensued between both parties and at one stage student became agitated and attacked the police with the brick bats. To control the situation, law enforcers were forced to open fire few rounds of tear gas.
The OC said some police members were also injured by the attack of students. The identities of the injured individuals are yet to be confirmed.
Meanwhile, at least 20 people, including student Anon Majumder, also the journalist of Amader Somoy, and Mansur Alam Antar of Daily Ittefaq, were injured. The identities of the other injured individuals are yet to be confirmed.
However, the injured were sent to the Sadar Medical Hospital for treatment.
The students have been protesting for the last few days, demanding the abolition of quotas in government jobs.
On Wednesday, the High Court upheld the circular to reinstate the 2018 quota system. However, the students rejected this and continued to demand the passage of a law in parliament to abolish “discriminatory quotas”.
Additional ASP Emranul Haq Maruf of Cumilla Sadar South Model Police Station said the road blockade will adversely impact the country’s economy that is why police are trying to obstruct the protesting students.
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