The US Embassy in Dhaka has condemned the recent wave of attacks on the demonstrators demanding reforms to quota in public service terming it ‘outrageous’.
“The outrageous attack on peaceful demonstrations by university students, the future leaders of Bangladesh’s proud democracy, is counter to the founding principles upon which our countries are established,” it said in the social media.
“The US government stands together in solidarity with those exercising their fundamental democratic rights - freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and the right to engage in peaceful protest,” reads the Facebook post.
Students and job seekers under the banner of 'The Council for the Preservation of Bangladesh General Students’ Rights’ has long been staging demonstration demanding reform to the quota system in government job.
In a wake of the movement, Prime Minister Sheikh announced revoking the quotas in April, which she reiterated late last month.
As several week passed, the quota reformists called for fresh progamme, which came under the attack of Bangladesh Chattra Leagus, students’ wing of ruling Awami League, at different place across the country.
Police also arrested several top leaders of the Council on different charges including vandalism and violation of ICT Act.
The government also formed a committee to scrutinize the existing quota system, which is likely to submit its report by the next week.