Police greenlighted to clear university halls, no leniency will be given: DB chief Harunor

Detective Branch chief Harunor Rashid says that police have approval to clear university residential halls and no leniency will be given to students who stay after the deadline.

He made the remarks to the media outside the residence of the Dhaka University vice chancellor amid the ongoing quota reform protests around 4:45pm.

The DB chief came to the TSC area on the campus in the afternoon to monitor the situation in the area. He inspected the area and then moved to the VC courtyard around 4:45pm.

According to the instructions of the Dhaka University Syndicate, students have until 6pm to leave their residential halls.

“If lives or property is damaged, what can we do but try and control the situation? The university administration has ordered the halls to be vacated and gave us permission [to carry it out].”

“If halls are not vacated by then, we will clear them. If anyone wants to stay by force, we will not be lenient with them.”

CLASHES CONTINUE, ABSENTEE PRAYERS HELD

Quota protesters at Dhaka University clashed with police after absentee prayers were held.

Around 2:45pm, students from various residential halls led coffin marches to commemorate those whose lives had been lost in Tuesday’s clashes.

They breached police barricades to hold an absentee prayer service demonstration in front of the VC’s residence.

The protesters attempted to breach police barriers again and reach the TSC area, pelting law enforcers with bricks. The police then used several sound grenades to disperse them.

Clashes continued in the mall courtyard and Arts Building areas as of 5pm.