Commuters in Dhaka are encountering severe difficulties as the city's main roads see a significant reduction in public transport due to student protests and blockades.

The demonstrations were ignited by an attack from the Chhatra League and demands for changes in the government job quota system.

On Tuesday, a noticeable shortage of rickshaws, auto-rickshaws, and buses was observed on the streets. Consequently, students are now using pickup trucks to reach protest locations.

Protesters advocating for quota reform have blocked several critical points in the capital, including Kuril Bishwa Road, Bashundhara Residential Area, Notun Bazar, Merul Badda, Banani, Gabtoli, Mohammadpur, Shani Akhra, Science Lab, and Birulia in Savar.

In response to alleged attacks by Chhatra League on students pushing for quota reform, the Students Against Discrimination movement has called for protests on campuses nationwide on Tuesday, as the ruling Awami League’s student wing plans to hold its protests.

One of the student movement coordinators, Nahid Islam, announced the protest plans during a press conference on Monday near Dhaka University’s Dr. Muhammad Shahidullah Hall.

Meanwhile, Chhatra League President Saddam Hussain, speaking to the media at the Raju Memorial Sculpture later that night, stated that his organization would also hold protests at 1:30 pm the same day at all universities across the country.

Tens of thousands of students have been protesting across Bangladesh for several days, demanding the abolition of quotas in favor of a merit-based system for civil service jobs.

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