Bangladesh Police has called upon everyone to help maintain a peaceful environment across the country amid the ongoing quota reform movement by respecting laws and refraining from violent activities that worsen the law and order situation.
“In the prevailing situation, Bangladesh Police requests everyone to help maintain a peaceful environment by respecting the laws and refraining from violent activities that deteriorated the law and order situation,” said a press release here this evening.
The release said that the ongoing anti-quota movement has led to clashes in different parts of the country while the police handled the situation with patience and tolerance.
The authorities have closed the Dhaka University (DU) sine die for safety of the students.
The Dhaka University authorities have also asked the students to vacate the halls by 6:00 this evening.
The decision was made at an emergency syndicate meeting of the university presided over by DU Vice Chancellor Prof AKM Maksud Kamal this noon.
The syndicate meeting also expressed sorrow over the deaths of the students and conveyed sympathy to those who were injured in the nationwide quota reform movement that occurred yesterday.
The holy Ashura, commemorating the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hossain Ibn Ali (RA), the grandson of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PUH), was observed across the country today with due religious solemnity.
Different religious organisations, including Islamic Foundation, took various programmes to observe the day.
The Shia Muslims brought out a procession known as Tajia procession in the city from Hosenee Dalan of Old Dhaka that paraded different city streets.
In the procession, the Shia Muslims expressed mourning and grief by walking barefooted on the streets.
A police box in Mohakhali was set on fire and motorcycles were burned during clashes between quota reform protesters and police on Tuesday evening.
A police officer inside the box narrowly escaped the flames and managed to exit unharmed. Reflecting on the intense situation, the officer said, "I survived by a narrow margin. Any delay could have cost me my life."
Clashes began around 6:00 pm this evening as protesters and police faced off near Mohakhali bus terminal. Protesters threw bricks and stones, while police responded with tear gas and rubber bullets.