Bonikbarta Exclusive

Dhaka came to a standstill as 'Complete Shutdown' program by quota reform protesters immobilized the city. Clashes between students and police erupted at several places. At the time of writing, confrontations were reported in Uttara, Jatrabari, Mirpur 10, Badda, and in front of Ideal College. Latest news reports ongoing clashes at Shanir Akhra, Kazla, and Jatrabari. Outside Dhaka, the shutdown continued in Chattogram, Bogura, Khulna, Rajshahi, and Jessore, with similar clashes involving police, Chhatra League, and Jubo League activists.

Jatrabari: Protesters blocked the Dhaka-Chattogram highway from Thursday morning. No vehicles could leave or enter Dhaka. Hundreds of vehicles were stranded on the highway due to a barricade at the Rayerbag section. Repeated clashes occurred between police and protesters at Jatrabari since Wednesday (July 17) night, culminating in the arson of the Hanif Flyover toll plaza.

Rampura: Around 11 a.m., a police box in Rampura was set on fire. Following this, clashes erupted between protesters and police, along with Awami League and Jubo League members near the Bangladesh Television gates 2 and 3.

Progoti Sarani: Private university students blocked the road in front of Jamuna Future Park. Participants included students from North South University, Independent University Bangladesh, United International University, International University of Business Agriculture and Technology, and Viqarunnisa Noon School. Thousands blocked the Kuril-Badda road, stranding commuters.

Uttara: Around 10 a.m., hundreds of students gathered at the Zamzam Tower intersection, vandalizing a traffic police box and two minibuses. Clashes occurred between students and police at Uttara Jashimuddin area.

Badda: Students from BRAC University blocked roads in Merul Badda, halting all traffic in the area. The protest began after 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, with several hundred students obstructing the street in front of the university. As a result, no vehicles could pass through Merul-Badda.

The situation escalated as police clashed with the protesting students. Police used tear gas to disperse the crowd, temporarily scattering the students. However, they regrouped and resumed their blockade of the road.

Mirpur-10: Police clashed with students in Mirpur-10 after removing Awami League activists and their affiliates from the area. The situation escalated between students and police. Officers fired tear gas and live rounds in an attempt to disperse the students. Fires broke out in the conflict zone, with at least five motorcycles set ablaze.

Kazla: Clashes broke out between police and protesters at the Kajla toll plaza on the Dhaka-Chittagong highway on Thursday (July 18) at around 11:30 a.m. Hundreds of protesters engaged in confrontations with the police. Officers fired tear gas repeatedly at the demonstrators, who responded by hurling bricks and stones at the police.

Jessore: On Thursday at 11 a.m., students in Jessore began their protest. From the morning, students from various schools and colleges gathered in front of the Jessore District Commissioner’s office. Thousands of students then marched down Mujib Road to the Jessore railway station. They blocked the tracks with wooden planks for 20 minutes until the police removed the obstruction. The students then moved to the Chachra intersection and blocked bypass roads to Benapole, Dhaka, Khulna, and Jhenaidah, continuing their protests.

In a show of support for the student protests, the BNP organized a march in the morning. Led by the party’s acting organizational secretary for the Khulna division, Anindya Islam Amit, the march wound through key streets of the city.

Bogura: Bogura turned into a battleground over quota reform protests. On Thursday, at around 11:30 a.m., students marching along Thana Road clashed repeatedly with police as they approached Satmatha. The area became a war zone with extensive vandalism, brick-throwing, and explosions. Over 50 people, including journalists and police, were injured and taken to various hospitals.

Protests have spread to different sub-districts of Bogura. Internet services are shut down across the district. Additionally, reports of clashes have emerged in front of Bogura Govt Azizul Haque College.

Chittagong: On Thursday at 10 a.m., protesting students gathered near Shah Amanat Bridge in Chattogram. Police confronted and fired tear gas at them. Witnesses reported a heavy presence of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and police in the Notun Bridge area. Approximately 400-500 protesters gathered, halting traffic. The roads were nearly empty of vehicles. Protesters chanted various slogans. By 11 a.m., police intensified their actions, firing more tear gas at the students. Protesters retaliated by throwing bricks. The area turned into a battlefield. Many students fell ill from the tear gas, but the protesters held their ground.

Khulna: On Thursday morning, student protesters occupied several key points on Khulna-Jessore Road, including Notun Rasta Intersection, Shibbari Intersection, PTI Intersection, Babu Khan Road, and South Central Road. From 10 a.m., students gathered in small processions, blocking roads with wooden logs, tree trunks, and bricks. This caused significant traffic jams, stranding hundreds of vehicles. Fearing vandalism, shops and businesses in various areas remained closed. Extra police and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel have been deployed. Tensions are running high throughout the city.

Barisal: Police, BGB, and RAB withdrew from the Barisal University campus under student pressure.

Madaripur: Two students went missing after jumping into Shakuni Lake during a quota reform protest in front of the Superintendent of Police's residence in Madaripur. The incident occurred when police and members of the Chhatra League chased the protesters. A team from the Madaripur Fire Service has launched a rescue operation to locate the missing students.

Manikganj: A violent clash erupted between Awami League leaders-activists and protesting students and BNP members in Khalpara area of Manikganj district. At least 10 people have been injured in the incident. Police intervened to control the situation by firing tear gas canisters at five locations.

Rangpur: Demonstrations demanding the abolition of unfair quotas in government jobs have commenced in Rangpur. The protest began Thursday morning at 11 a.m. in front of Rangpur District School, blocking the main road.

Brahmanbaria: In Brahmanbaria's Ashuganj area along the Dhaka-Sylhet highway, students demanding quota reforms have staged a road blockade at the toll plaza of Syed Nazrul Islam Bridge. Traffic along the highway has been halted, causing significant disruptions.

Asif Mahmud, one of the key coordinators of the ongoing student protests, announced a 'Complete Shutdown' initiative late Wednesday night. In his statement, he declared, "In support of students' peaceful protests, we announce a nationwide 'Complete Shutdown' on July 18, demanding an end to unwarranted attacks by police, BGB, RAB, and SWAT, justice for murder victims, and ensuring campuses free from terrorism."