The students of Jahangirnagar University (JU) blocked the Dhaka-Aricha Highway for the fifth consecutive day on Thursday, demanding reform in the quota system in government jobs.
According to the pre-announced program, the students gathered in front of the university's central library at 4pm.
Earlier, hundreds of members of Savar Highway police station and Ashulia police station took position on the Dhaka-Aricha Highway adjacent to the main gate of the university from 2:30pm.
When the students brought a protest procession from the central library, they were obstructed by the university’s proctorial body within the campus and by the police outside the main gate.
DMP: Police showed patience to quota protesters in ShahbaghThe university’s main gate was locked at that time, but the students managed to break it and take a position on the highway, closing both sides of the road.
Apart from this, a water cannon truck brought by the police was blocked by the students as well.
When the students blocked the highway, a long traffic jam ensued on both lanes.
However, students were seen allowing patient-carrying cars and emergency service vehicles to pass by creating special lanes on the road.
Sohagi Samia, a protesting student, said: "Today (Thursday), I want to ask the police force, have you taken a stand in favour of question leaks or in favor of the real meritorious students? Our logical movement cannot be stopped by attacking and filing cases. We, the students of Jahangirnagar University, will make our movement successful with maximum strength.”
Ahsan Labib, a student of the Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, said: "The quota reform movement is not an illogical movement. Rather, it is illogical to maintain the quota by snatching the rights of the common people.”
Dhaka District Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime and Operations) Abdullahil Kafi said the people had to suffer due to the blockade for the last few days.
“We hope that they (students) will refrain from creating public suffering through their blockade program out of respect for the court. Students can continue their peaceful programs inside the university if they want,” he added.
The Bangla Blockade program is ongoing for the fourth day on Thursday, demanding quota reforms.
On July 7-8 and July 10, students observed a dawn-to-dusk blockade across the country.
