A procession, demanding a 5% quota in government jobs for the indigenous people, has been thwarted by the police in Dhaka.
The demonstration, titled “March Towards the Secretariat” was organized under the banner of Adibasi Quota Songrokkhon Parishad on Sunday.
The procession began around 11:30am, 90 minutes after the scheduled start, at Aparajeyo Bangla. It passed near Madhur Canteen and through the TSC of Dhaka University. However law enforcers thwarted the procession in front of Doyel Chattar.
Police officials asked the demonstrators to turn back, and assured them that they would convey their message to the high-ups.
The demonstrators then gathered behind the Shaheed Minar, and ended the demonstration with a brief rally.
Addressing the rally, Bangladesh Garo Chattro Shangothan (BAGACHAS) Dhaka Metropolitan branch leader and Joint Coordinator of Adibasi Quota Songrokkhon Parishad Alik Mree criticized the police for obstructing their procession towards the secretariat.
He said: “The recommendations by the cabinet secretary must be withdrawn immediately, and the government must retain a 5% quota for the indigenous people.”
