Police in action to remove the quota protesters

Dhaka University (DU) campus witnessed violent clashes between Chhatra League activists and anti-quota protesters, prompting police deployment to restore order. The police operation, led by Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Joint Commissioner Biplab Kumar Sarkar, began at 6:50 PM on Monday, July 15, starting from the Doel Chattar area of DU. The operation included the Armed Police Battalion and an armored police vehicle.

By 6:30 PM, a significant police presence was established on the campus. DMP Joint Commissioner Biplab Kumar Sarkar was observed directing the police deployment.

At 7:50 PM, quota protesters inside Shahidullah Hall, accompanied by Provost Dr. Javed Hossain, came out of the hall and chanted slogans upon seeing the police.

The clashes began at 3:30 PM when Chhatra League attacked students protesting for quota reform. The conflict originated from a DU hall and quickly escalated, resulting in over 150 students being injured. The injured are receiving treatment at Dhaka Medical College (DMC) Hospital, with some in critical condition.

Witnesses reported hearing several cocktail explosions during the clash in front of Shahidullah Hall after 5 PM. Tensions heightened as both sides threw bricks at each other.

The unrest follows the second day of protests by students from Dhaka University, Bangladesh University of Engineering, Jagannath University, Dhaka College, and Eden College. They were demanding the withdrawal of the Prime Minister's statement on the 'Muktijoddha Quota' in government jobs. Protesters gathered at the Raju sculpture, marching through key campus areas before returning to the sculpture for a rally.

The protest march included slogans such as "Quota na Medha, Medha Medha," "Ke Razakar Ke Razakar, Tui Razakar Tui Razakar," "The spirit of the liberation war, the state is not of anyone's father," "I wanted rights, I became a Razakar," "In my independent Bengal, one Katha Chali Na," "Tumi Ke Ami Ke, Bengali Bengali," "Bought in the blood of lakhs of martyrs, the country is nobody's father," "action to action, direct action," and "movement with attacks/cases, can't be stopped."

The police deployment aims to control the volatile situation and prevent further violence as tensions remain high on the campus.