DHAKA: Tension gripped Bangladesh afresh on Saturday after leaders of the student movement refused Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s invitation for talks while protesters laid siege on major streets in the capital, days after more than 200 people died in anti-quota protests.
Bangladesh recently witnessed violent clashes between the police and mostly student protesters demanding an end to a controversial quota system that reserved 30 per cent of government jobs for relatives of veterans who fought in Bangladesh’s War of Independence in 1971.
Witnesses said protesting students blocked major roads of Dhaka causing traffic snarls, while officials said security forces were ordered to keep intensified vigil.
On Friday, PM Hasina urged the agitating students to meet at her Ganabhaban official residence for talks to end the violence over the quota system in government jobs.
Her call came a day after new protests erupted on Friday, leaving two people dead and more than 100 injured as over 2,000 protesters gathered in parts of the capital.
“I am saying again, they (student leaders) can come to me for talks if they want they can bring with them their guardians as well anytime,” she said during a meeting with leaders of different professional groups. “The door of Ganabhaban is open (for them),” she said.
“I want to listen to them. I do not want conflict,” she said, while ruling Awami League sources said three party leaders were tasked to communicate and convince the anti-quota movement coordinators.
Meanwhile, PM Hasina called an emergency meeting with university vice-chancellors and college principals on Saturday night amid heightened tensions as student movement leaders refused here invitation for talks and demanded her resignation.