Dhaka found itself in the throes of renewed turmoil on Saturday as student movement leaders flatly refused Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s invitation for talks.
The refusal has ignited fresh protests, further clogging the capital’s major streets just days after over 200 lives were lost in violent anti-quota demonstrations.
The recent unrest stems from a highly contentious quota system, which reserves 30 percent of government jobs for the descendants of 1971 War of Independence veterans.
The student-led protests have seen fierce clashes with police forces, leading to widespread unrest and gridlock in Dhaka.
Eyewitnesses reported that students blockaded key roads, causing significant traffic disruptions. Authorities, in response, have ramped up security measures, with forces on high alert as demonstrators rally at various locations across the city.
In an attempt to quell the chaos, Prime Minister Hasina extended an olive branch on Friday, urging the protesting students to meet her at her official residence, Ganabhaban, for dialogue.
Her plea came amidst fresh outbreaks of violence that saw two people dead and over 100 injured, as more than 2,000 protesters swarmed parts of the capital, chanting anti-government slogans and calling for justice.
“I am saying again, they (student leaders) can come to me for talks. If they want, they can bring their guardians as well, anytime,” Hasina stated during a meeting with leaders from various professional groups. “The door of Ganabhaban is open for them. I want to listen to them. I do not want conflict,” she added.
Sources from the ruling Awami League disclosed that three party leaders have been designated to liaise with the anti-quota movement coordinators in hopes of initiating a dialogue.
Meanwhile, two police officers have been suspended following a high-profile incident that escalated tensions.
The officials were found to have acted unprofessionally when they opened fire on student protesters, resulting in the death of Abu Sayeed, a second-year student at Northwestern Rangpur University.
This incident marked the first casualty on a university campus and has only fueled the students' anger.
Video evidence revealed Sayeed standing with arms outstretched, confronting the police before being fatally shot.
The tragedy has intensified the resolve of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, which has now vowed to continue their protests unabated.
On Friday, the movement’s coordinators declared they would not engage in talks with the government. Instead, they have called for a nationwide protest and a civil disobedience campaign.
One coordinator, Asif Mahmud, revealed in a Facebook post that they had been coerced into announcing a suspension of their movement while in police custody.
“We were told to meet the Prime Minister and halt the movement. They even planned to take us to Ganabhaban by force,” Mahmud wrote.
“We are prepared to pay the ultimate price for our stance, even if it means death. We urge every citizen of Bangladesh to join the student uprising,” he added.
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