Friday will tell whether curfew to be lifted

The government is expected to decide on reopening educational institutions and lifting the curfew in most areas after Friday, following widespread violence linked to the quota-reform protests last weekend.

According to sources present at a high-level meeting at the home ministry, the government will assess the situation on Friday and deploy a significant number of law enforcement personnel in Dhaka that day. If Friday passes without major incidents, authorities are likely to proceed with reopening educational institutions and lifting the curfew, the sources added.

Key figures present at the meeting included Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, Law Minister Anisul Huq, Education Minister Mohibul Hassan Chowdhoury, Prime Minister‍‍`s Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman, State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat, Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, and police‍‍`s Special Branch chief Monirul Islam.

Last Friday‍‍`s clashes, which erupted after Juma prayers, resulted in countrywide violence, leading to 201 deaths according to Prothom Alo. The Awami League leadership anticipates potential violence on the upcoming Friday and has instructed party members to remain vigilant, with plans for a rally at their central office on Bangabandhu Avenue at 3:00 pm that day.

Reports from deputy commissioners across the country were discussed at the ministry meeting, revealing that conditions were generally stable in most districts except Dhaka, Narayanganj, Gazipur, Narsingdi, and areas under Narayanganj City Corporation and Gazipur City Corporation. Depending on Friday‍‍`s developments, primary schools in other districts may reopen gradually, while secondary schools will be considered later.

An unnamed minister emphasized the government‍‍`s intention to resume primary school activities due to the new curriculum‍‍`s requirements, while acknowledging the need to assess secondary school reopenings subsequently.

The closure of educational institutions on July 16 amid widespread violence prompted the postponement of Higher Secondary Certificate and equivalent examinations scheduled for July 18, 21, 23, and 25 by the education boards.

After yesterday‍‍`s meeting, Education Minister Mohibul Hassan Chowdhoury informed reporters that reopening universities was not advisable at present. He emphasized that completing the HSC and equivalent examinations remained the government‍‍`s top priority.

During the meeting, discussions also revolved around the judicial commission established to investigate the deaths on July 16 during the quota-reform protests. The government expressed its intention to await the report from the commission, led by High Court Judge Khondker Diliruzzaman, before taking further action.

A minister, speaking anonymously to another newspaper, affirmed the government‍‍`s commitment to holding accountable those responsible for the deaths, irrespective of their identities.