Six anti-quota protesters died in clashes with police and Chhatra League yesterday, sparking widespread student unrest at Dhaka University.

Leaders and activists of various wings of the ruling Awami League, including Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) Jubo League from Narayanganj, Gazipur, Manikganj and some other districts adjacent to Dhaka have gathered at Shahbag.

Members of Dhaka city units of BCL and Jubo League are trying to enter Dhaka University campus with rods, stumps and hockey sticks in their hands.

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and police members have so far obstructed them by putting up a barricade at the entrances of the university.

Earlier, Students at Dhaka University (DU) have expelled leaders and activists of the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) from eleven residential halls, declaring these dormitories politics-free zones. This decisive action took place in the early hours of July 17, marking a potential shift in campus dynamics.

The students, determined to maintain this new status quo, took an unprecedented step by obtaining signed statements from Hall provosts. These documents affirm that if political leaders attempt to re-establish their presence in the halls, the university administration will be held accountable.
The eleven halls where political activities have been banned are:

• Dr. Muhammad Shahidullah Hall
• Fazlul Huq Muslim Hall
• Amar Ekushey Hall
• Ruqayyah Hall
• Haji Muhammad Mohsin Hall
• Bangladesh-Kuwait Maitree Hall
• Zahurul Huq Hall
• Shamsun Nahar Hall
• Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall
• Kabi Sufia Kamal Hall
• Surja Sen Hall

This bold initiative by the students represents a significant challenge to the longstanding tradition of political influence in university dormitories. It remains to be seen how this development will impact the broader political landscape within Dhaka University and potentially other educational institutions across Bangladesh.

Students now control the halls, demanding an end to Chhatra League's decade-long dominance and guest room practices. Chhatra League members, scattered across campus, express disbelief at their sudden loss of power.

The 'Anti-Discrimination Student Society' has called for a funeral prayer and protest rally at 2 pm. Authorities have set up checkpoints, tightly controlling campus access amid fears of deteriorating law and order.

Dhaka University campus is under heightened security following the syndicate's decision to close the institution. Police have established checkpoints at all entrances, with riot units and water cannons positioned near key locations like the Raju Memorial.
A group of DU teachers, protesting recent attacks on quota reform students, marched to the Vice Chancellor's residence to discuss the closure decision. Simultaneously, students demonstrating against the shutdown were dispersed by police at the VC Chattar.
The university area is now heavily guarded by police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel, reflecting the tense atmosphere surrounding the controversial closure.

Here are the live updates reported by our correspondents across the country. Stay tuned with us to know updates instantly.

10:15pm

The BNP has urged its party members and the general public to join the 'complete shutdown' programme announced by the students of quota movement tomorrow.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced virtually at a press conference today.

The BNP leader said, BNP is extending its full support to the student movement.

10:10pm

Four protesting students were arrested from the proctor's office of Rajshahi University.

Multiple sources from law enforcement agencies confirmed the matter.

The university administration subsequently handed them over to the police at 7:35 PM. Legal action is underway.

10:00pm

At least 80 have been injured at Jahangirnagar University during the clash between police and protesting students today.

Most of them have been injured by rubber bullets fired by the police, Dr Md Shamsur Rahman, the chief medical officer at the university's medical centre said.

9:55pm

Quota protesters in Barishal took control of streets despite 10-hour long clash with police today (17 July).

Since 1:00pm, several chase and counter chase occurred between students and policemen. At least 80 people, including police and journalists, were injured in the clashes.

Police fired tear shell and rubber bullets to disperse the protesters but they again regrouped and gathered on the road.

9.30pm

Locals have joined the protesters during clashes with police in Shonir Akhra area of the capital.

Multiple motorcycles, toll plaza booths on the adjacent Hanif Flyover and a police box have been set on fire and vandalised, our correspondents report from the spot.

Tyres could also be seen burning on the road.

According to locals, police have fired teargas shells, and rubber bullets targeting the protesters. The clashes have left many injured.

However, details on the numbers could not be confirmed immediately.

Shahidul Islam, station officer, of Postogola Fire Service said at least one unit had reached the spot to douse the fire.

9:00pm

At least six people, including a two-year-old child, were injured in police shotgun fire at Dhaka's Shonir Akhra area, journalists present at the spot claimed.

5:35pm

Police kept evicting the DU students from campus via the university gate beside Nilkhet.

5:25pm

Police are firing blank shots and chasing quota protesters on the Jahangirnagar University (JU) campus, a student of the university told TBS over the phone.

Police have been deployed on campus in armoured cars as BGB is stationed outside the main entrance.

4:29pm

Police have allegedly fired a few rounds of rubber bullets, tear gas and sound grenades to disperse a rally of protesting students in front of the Ruqayyah Hall.

A few journalists covering the developments have been injured during the clash.

4:20 PM

Leaders and activists of various wings of the ruling Awami League, including Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) Jubo League from Narayanganj, Gazipur, Manikganj and some other districts adjacent to Dhaka have gathered at Shahbag.

Members of Dhaka city units of BCL and Jubo League are trying to enter Dhaka University campus with rods, stumps and hockey sticks in their hands.

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and police members have so far obstructed them by putting up a barricade at the entrances of the university.

3:40pm

A part of protesting students have marched towards Dhaka University's VC residence with an empty coffin and now preparing to hold a gayebana janaza  

Members of police and RAB are also present and on alert. 

3:15pm

Activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) have allegedly attacked the protesting students of the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) in front of its campus on Mohammadpur's Beribadh road.

2:47pm

Police held two from TSC. One of them has been identified as Aktar Hossain, a leader of Gano Odhikar.

12:30PM 
 

Dhaka University Orders Immediate Hall Evacuation Following UGC Directive

Dhaka University (DU) has instructed all residential students to vacate their dormitories by 6 PM today, July 17, in compliance with a sweeping directive from the University Grants Commission (UGC). The UGC mandate requires all universities nationwide to suspend classes and clear residential facilities.

This decision was reached during an emergency meeting of the university's syndicate, its highest policy-making body. Syndicate member Nizamul Haque Bhuiyan confirmed the development, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.

The abrupt announcement has left students scrambling to make alternative living arrangements on short notice. The university administration has not yet provided details on how long this measure will remain in effect or what support, if any, will be offered to students facing housing difficulties.

However, Students in several halls said that they will not vacate hall and will continue their movement seeking Quota reform.

12:00PM

BCL President and Secretary Flee Dhaka University Campus
 

Mazharul Kabir Shayon, President of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) at Dhaka University (DU), and Tanvir Hasan Saikat, General Secretary, have fled the campus fearing attacks from students involved in the quota reform movement. This information was obtained on Wednesday (17 July) morning at the DU campus.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, several students informed the media that General Secretary Tanvir Hasan Saikat left the campus in the morning after instructing activists to seek safe shelter. Shortly after, DU BCL President Mazharul Kabir Shayon also fled the campus.

12:30 am

BNP Accuses Government of Staging Raid to Divert Quota Reform Movement

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi claimed in a virtual press conference that the government staged a raid on the party's Nayapaltan headquarters to distract from the ongoing student quota reform movement.

Earlier, police led by DB chief Harun or Rashid raided the BNP office around 12:30 am. Harun reported recovering 100 crude bombs, 500 sticks, and 5-6 petrol bottles, along with arresting seven JCD members. He linked the raid to a bus arson incident near Jatiya Press Club.

Harun also alleged that a group was attempting to redirect the quota movement by providing financial support, weapons, and incendiary rhetoric. He claimed to have names and contact information of those responsible, promising imminent arrests.

The conflicting narratives highlight tensions between the opposition and law enforcement amidst the ongoing student protests.

11:00AM

Students took control over Bijay Ekattor Hall of Dhaka Univeristy and forced BCL leaders to leave the hall premise.

The students of Jahangirnagar University (JU) have placed posters at the main entrance of the university prohibiting the Chhatra League’s entry in response to the attack on students demanding quota reform on Tuesday (July 16).