Although protesters demanding reinstatement of 30 percent freedom fighters' quota postponed their countrywide blockade programme the day before, another group continued agitation at the capital's Shahbagh area with the same demand, for the sixth consecutive day yesterday.

On Monday, Muktijuddho Moncho, the platform spearheading the protest, postponed their agitation till Sunday following assurance of fulfilling their demands by that day, from Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan.

"The minister has his own platform named 'Muktijuddher Chetona Bastobayon Mancha' and he gave the declaration |of postponement] on behalf of his platform. But we are continuing our protest independently," Mehedi Hasan, president of Muktijuddho Sangsad Santan Command that lead yesterday's sit-in, told The Daily Star.

He also claimed that the minister has extended his support to their protest, and their programmes are in no conflict with the ministers' announcement.

The protesters started their sit-in at 4:00pm like previous days - putting barri-

ers on the roads leading to the Shahbagh intersection.

The agitation caused severe traffic congestion on the adjacent roads, forcing many passengers to get down from buses and walk to their destinations.

Vehicles, heading to and from Science Lab, Farmgate and Motijheel, were stuck in long tailbacks; some of them were seen taking detours to avoid the Shahbagh intersection.

From yesterday's blockade, protesters declared to continue their agitation until their demands are met.

They said they would also welcome protesters demanding reinstatement of indigenous and physically-challenged quotas, ifthey want to join them.

"The discrimination prevailing in our country would be more acute because of the abolishment of the entire quota system. So, we would extend our support to the protesters demanding reinstatement of different quotas," said Al Mamun, who also claimed to be the convener of Muktijuddho Moncho.

Spokesperson of the platform, Prof AKM Jamal Uddin could not be reached over phone despite repeated attempts.

Protesters return

FROM PAGE 3

PROTESTS CONTINUE AT CHATTOGRAM, GAIBANDHA A few hundred freedom fighters and their wards, under the banner of Muktijoddha Sangsad Santan Command, yesterday formed a human chain in front of DB Road in Gaibandha municipality at 1:00 pm.

They barricaded a road by burning tires that halted traffic movement for two hours. They also blockaded railway tracks and barred Burimari-bound Karotoa Express train from passing.

Later, they brought out a procession and submitted a memorandum to deputy commissioner, reports our Gaibandha correspondent.

Meanwhile, a group of indigenous students of Chittagong University boycotted classes yesterday, demanding the reinstatement of five percent quota in government jobs, reports our ChittagongUniversity (CU) correspondent.

They also staged a protest rally at Cheragi Pahar intersection of Chattogram city with the same demand, where they threatened to announce tougher movement if their demands are not met.

On October 4, the government issued a circular abolishing all quotas for recruitment in class-I and class-II jobs in civil service.