Since the interim government took charge, many organizations, students, workers and people from different classes and professions have been seen taking to the streets with various demands. These movements have created a lot of chaos in different parts of the country. Although there was some calm for a while, various professionals and students have taken to the streets again with various demands in the past two weeks.
Some of these protests have escalated into violent clashes, causing injuries to participants.
City dwellers have suffered the most due to these movements, which were organised at some key avenues and roundabouts of Dhaka. The city dwellers are now even more worried about their security.
On January 26, students of seven colleges affiliated to Dhaka University (DU) blocked the Science Lab intersection demanding an independent university. They not only blocked the intersection, but also took position at Tanti Bazar and Mirpur Technical intersections. This left thousands of vehicles stranded on Dhaka streets.
Since then, there have been repeated instances of chase and counter-chase between the protesters and students of various other institutions. These incidents have left several people injured as well.
On the same day, the Independent Ebtedayee Madrasa Teachers' Alliance gathered in front of the National Press Club to press home its six-point demand, including nationalisation of independent Ebtedayee madrasahs in line with the recommendation of the Institute of Education and Research of Dhaka University.
Later the teachers marched towards the Chief Adviser’s Office to submit a memorandum.
The police used water cannons to disperse them when they reached the road in front of Shahbagh police station. They also charged batons and fired tear gas shells at the protesters.
On January 24, assistant teachers of government primary schools marched towards the residence of Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus demanding the 10th grade salary scale. When they reached Shahbagh police station, the police stopped the march.
Furthermore, train services across the country were suspended since Monday night due to the strike by railway workers.
Angry passengers vandalized Rajshahi Railway Station on Tuesday morning after failing to board trains. They vandalized the chairs at the station as well as the doors of various rooms inside the station.
However, operations of trains resumed early yesterday as the running staff of railway withdrew their work abstention programme.
Regarding the protests and clashes, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement said that there is a lack of management by the interim government and law enforcement agencies in this regard. In a message recently, the student body claimed that its central leader Muhammad had sustained serious injuries in one of the incidents. The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement also strongly condemned what it called the indiscriminate attack on students by the police. It called on the government to be more active in containing such situations.
In addition, many have expressed concerns about these movements and protests on social media.
Assistant Inspector General (Media) of the Police Headquarters, Enamul Haque Sagar, said: "There is no lack in our efforts to keep the law and order situation stable. No chaos should be created due to anyone's instigation. We are also vigilant in that regard.”
After a core committee meeting on law and order at the Ministry of Home Affairs on Monday, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Mohammad Sajjat Ali said that police had handled clashes between DU and the affiliated college students with patience on January 26th. He emphasized that no lethal weapons were used, only sound grenades and tear gas were used, which prevented bloodshed.
