QUOTA REFORM Protesters call indefinite strike from today

Protesters rallying for quota reforms on Sunday announced that they would begin indefinite strikes from today at all public universities and colleges across the country as the government did not publish any gazette to reform quota system till Sunday afternoon.
Bangladesh Sadharan Chhatra Adhikar Sangrakshan during their two-hour strike on the day had issued a fresh ultimatum from a press conference in the afternoon to publish by Sunday 5:00pm a gazette notification abolishing the controversial quota system in public services as per the prime minister’s announcement.
The protesters observed strike from 11:00am to 1:00pm on Sunday at the all public universities and colleges as the government did not publish the gazette within their 24-hour ultimatum that expired Thursday.
The agitated students also held a human chain and brought out a big procession braving heavy rain on Dhaka University campus which also paraded adjacent areas demanding immediate issuance of gazette.
On Wednesday, Bangladesh Sadharan Chhatra Adhikar Sangrakkhan issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the government for publication of gazette.

Students at the University of Barisal bring out a procession on the campus on Sunday demanding immediate publication of a gazette notification abolishing the quota system in public services. — New Age photo

While addressing a press conference at Teacher Student Centre of the university on Sunday noon, Nurul Huq Nur, joint convener of the platform, said that already thirty-two days elapsed after prime minister’s declaration in parliament abolishing quota, but there was no visible development when they were assured of addressing the crisis within May 7.
He assured that if the government published the gazette, they would withdraw their latest round of protest in no time as they had no intention to prolong their movement.
Convener of the platform Hasan Al Mamun said that if the government wanted to reform the quota system, they should reform it as per their five-point demand which included 10 per cent quota instead of existing 56 per cent.
Students also held protests at Jahangirnagar University, Rajshahi University, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet Agricultural University, Chittagong University and other universities and colleges pressing the same demand.
New Age staff correspondent in Sylhet reported that students of different educational institutions formed a human chain in front of Central Shaheed Minar at Chowhatta in the city at noon and later brought out a procession on the same demand.
New Age correspondent in Chittagong reported that quota protesters held demonstrations at Shoholoshor Rail station in the morning demanding publication of the gazette.
New Age Rajshahi University correspondent reported that several hundred students brought out a protest procession on campus at 12:00pm and later held a short rally in front of the university central library.
New Age Barisal correspondent reported that quota protesters brought out a procession demanding immediate publication of gazette-notification at Barishal University.
Meanwhile, Awami League general secretary and also road transport and bridges minister Obaidul Quader on Sunday at a press briefing at his secretariat office asked the agitating students to keep trust in the PM’s assurance. 
‘As prime minster Sheikh Hasina announced in parliament that the quota system would be abolished, we must keep trust in her,’ Quader said.

Students at Rajshahi University bring out a procession on the campus on Sunday demanding publication of a gazette notification in the shortest possible time abolishing the quota system in public services as promised by prime minister Sheikh Hasina. — New Age photo

It required some time to issue a gazette as there were different types of quotas that needed to be scrutinised, he added. 
In the face of protests across the country, prime minister Sheikh Hasina announced in parliament on April 11 that the quota system in government jobs would be abolished.
The protesters took to the streets on February 17 and continued the protests for including reduction of quota in public service recruitment to 10 per cent from the existing 56 per cent.
The protesters also demanded withdrawal of cases as at least five cases were filed against unnamed people with Ramna and Shahbagh police over violence and vandalism during the movement on DU campus.
Meanwhile, public administration ministry has initiated a move to form a committee, to be led by the cabinet secretary, in keeping with prime minister’s directive for abolishing the quota system in government jobs.

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net