When a group of teachers was staging a rally at Dhaka University yesterday against repression on students and teachers, Chhatra League men assaulted some quota reformists on the campus of Chittagong University.

The committee formed on July 2 to “review, reform or cancel” the quota system for civil service may seek 90 more working days as it has not finished collecting information and reviewing reports about the system, sources said.

Freedom fighters who won a legal battle six years ago are yet to get their retirement benefits for public service as the government has not implemented the court's verdict.

The government has been referring to a Supreme Court “order” on the reservation of 30 percent quota for the children of freedom fighters for the last few days, arguing that it cannot be changed.

“The university is the place of practicing freethinking where everyone has the right to express their opinions. But such attacks on the campus are not acceptable,” he said.

Shahana Begum was frequently turning to have a look at the photo of her son printed on the banner. But every time she did it, tears welled up in her eyes making it difficult for her to start the press conference.

Thirteen Supreme Court lawyers yesterday sent legal notices to the authorities of Dhaka and Rajshahi universities to inform them in 24 hours what action has been taken against the BCL men for attacks on students demanding quota reform in public jobs.

Students seeking quota reforms in civil service have so far been at the receiving end of the wrath of Bangladesh Chhatra League. But yesterday, even teachers were not spared as they stood by their students.

A Dhaka court yesterday sent three leaders of the quota reform movement to jail on completion of their two-day police remand.

Eminent citizens yesterday called upon the government to make clear its position over the quota system in civil service, in the wake of repeated assault and arrest of quota reformists in the past few days.

Following denial throughout the day, police yesterday evening admitted arresting a quota reform leader from the capital's Shantinagar.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said it is not possible to reform the freedom fighters' quota in public jobs due to a High Court verdict.

The Dhaka University authorities yesterday claimed they never said “outsiders were prohibited on campus”.

Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque yesterday said there is no scope for bringing changes to the 30 percent freedom fighters' quota in public jobs because of a Supreme Court order.

The Dhaka University authorities yesterday said no outsider will be allowed to roam or stay on the campus without prior permission, a move that goes against the very character of the country's premier university.

The seven-member committee formed “to review or reform or cancel” the quota system for the civil service will sit for its first meeting today.

Her eyes were full of fury and voice quivered with rage. She looked frustrated and also a bit traumatised while narrating the physical assault, verbal abuse and mental torture she endured at the hands of those against quota reform and police.

With two bones of his legs broken, eight stitches on his head and bruises all over the body, Toriqul Islam lies still on his hospital bed. His right leg plastered up to his thigh, he looks absolutely helpless.

Under what law, by what right, is the BCL beating up the students? Why are the police a mere spectator in all this? On Monday, police were seen leaving the Shaheed Minar just as they saw the BCL men coming to attack the protesters. Reportedly, a number of female students were also manhandled and even kicked. Was it a case of law enforcers leaving the ground so the law breakers could have their way?

Government high ups are considering civil service quota reforms, said Cabinet Secretary M Shafiul Alam yesterday.