Situation tense at DU

Tension runs high on the Dhaka University (DU) campus, as the demonstrators in favour or against the quota system in the BCS examinations are confronting each other.
Many teachers and students apprehended that unwanted incidents might occur on the campus any moment.
After a platform styled 'General Students' launched a movement demanding cancellation of quota system in the BCS examinations last week, some other platforms demonstrated against the 'General Students', as they thought that the platform is organised by an anti-liberation force.
At least three skirmishes, two at Mohsin Hall and the other one in front of Arts Building, between the pro-quota and anti-quota demonstrators took place since last week.
DU authorities yesterday held a Provost Committee meeting to discuss the situations in the dormitories and their security. The meeting directed the hall provosts to stay alert so that no untoward incidents take place, DU Vice Chancellor Prof SMA Faiz said.
Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), Bangladesh Chhatra Union (BCU) and some other left-leaning student organisations, under two separate platforms, urged the university authorities to call a meeting of university's Paribesh Parishad, a body comprising university authority and student representations, to identify the anti-liberation force and oust them from the campus.
They said a vested quarter is trying to mislead a demonstration by common students to tarnish the spirit of liberation war and dishonour the sacrifice of freedom fighters.
However, Prof Faiz said the authorities are yet to take any decision regarding the demand for calling a meeting of university's Paribesh Parishad.
Meanwhile, the students demonstrating for cancellation of the quota system in the BCS examinations yesterday announced a fresh spell of programmes to press home their demand.
At a press conference on the DU campus they said they have launched a signature collection campaign in favour of their demand, which will continue till February 8. On February 9, they will observe a one-hour token class abstention at all educational institutions.
On the allegation that the anti-quota movement is being organised by an anti-liberation force, Md Selim Mia, one of the leaders of the 'General Students' said the students who think that a 55 percent quota in a competitive examination is an injustice are demonstrating. He said Shibir activists might join the demonstration, but it's difficult to identify them.
In the Bangladesh Public Service Commission's BCS examinations, 55 percent appointments are made under four quotas, including freedom fighters quota (30 percent), women quota and district quota (10 percent each) and indigenous quota (five percent).
The other student platforms and student organisations also continued their movement against the demonstration of 'General Students', as they said the demonstration is instigated by Shibir men.
Although they demanded reforms in the existing quota system, they alleged that an anti-liberation force is trying to use the emotion of common students to make the campus unstable again.