100 injured in anti-quota protests in Bangladesh

Thousands of students across Bangladesh staged protests and sit-ins Monday after clashes at the country’s top university left at least 100 people injured.

Police fired rubber bullets and tear gas at Dhaka University students fighting what they complain are discriminatory quotas for government jobs in favour of special groups.

Classes suspended

Following the violence that erupted on Sunday and continued into the early hours of Monday, classes at Dhaka University ground to a halt as thousands occupied the main square chanting “Reform, reform!” Students at state-run universities in Chittagong, Khulna, Rajshahi, Barisal, Rangpur, Sylhet and Savar also boycotted classes and staged sit-ins, police and media said.

The students are angry at the government’s decision to set aside 56% of civil service jobs for the families of veterans from the 1971 war of independence and for disadvantaged minorities.

The Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, discussed the quota issue at its weekly meeting on Monday, said cabinet secretary Shafiul Alam. She has asked senior Minister Obaidul Quader to hold a meeting with the protest leaders, he said.