Quota reform activists in Manikganj held a blockade in front of police lines in the Manara and Uchutia areas of the Manikganj bus stand on the Dhaka-Aricha highway on Thursday.
The protesting students from various schools and colleges blocked the road with sticks, chanting slogans demanding the cancellation of the quota system.
Due to the blockade, vehicles were stuck on both sides of the road. Despite police requests for the protesters to clear the road, the blockade continued, putting the Dhaka-Aricha highway under the control of the quota reform activists.
A chase and clash occurred between Chhatra Dal-Jubo Dal and Chhatra League-Jubo League in the Khalpar area of the city around 10am, resulting in injuries to at least 10-15 people on both sides. Additionally, Asif Khan Monir, Manikganj correspondent for the daily Jaijaidin, was beaten by Jubo League activists.
Quota reform activists marched from the North Seota area of the city around 10:30am on Thursday. Leaders and activists of Chhatra League and Jubo League, already positioned in the Khalpar area, attacked them with sticks.
In response, Chhatra Dal and Jubo Dal activists from Seota threw bricks at the Chhatra League and Jubo League activists, leading to a brief clash.
Police then fired several rounds of tear gas to bring the situation under control.
Another procession of general students from Government Debendra College was attacked by Chhatra League and Jubo League activists around 11am. This incident resulted in 10-15 more injuries on both sides, with the injured receiving treatment at various private hospitals, including the 250-bed general hospital.
Additional police have been deployed in the city to control the situation, which remains tense.