Amid the ongoing violent protests in Bangladesh, the services of Maitree Express, connecting Kolkata with Dhaka, will continue to remain suspended till Tuesday, Eastern Railway said, citing operational reasons.
Services of the train have been halted since Saturday, officials said. Moreover, the bi-weekly Kolkata-Khulna-Kolkata Bandhan Express was also cancelled on Sunday, PTI reported.
The protests in Bangladesh started after the Sheikh Hasina government took controversial quota decision of facilitating 30 per cent reservation in government jobs to descendants of 1971 war heroes, who fought for independence against the Pakistani regime.
The protests turned deadly on July 16, a day after students at Dhaka University began clashing with police. Violence continued to escalate as police fired tear gas and rubber bullets and hurled smoke grenades to scatter stone-throwing protesters.
Later, Bangladesh Supreme Court scaled down the controversial quota decision.
The Supreme Court was due to decide next month on the legality of the recently reintroduced scheme, but brought forward its verdict as the civil strife intensified.
Ruling on an appeal, the Supreme Court ordered that the veterans’ quota be cut to 5%, with 93% of jobs to be allocated on merit. The remaining 2% will be set aside for members of ethnic minorities and transgender and disabled people.
Law minister Anisul Haq of the ruling Awami League party welcomed the SC decision and said it was “well thought of”.
Services of the train have been halted since Saturday, officials said. Moreover, the bi-weekly Kolkata-Khulna-Kolkata Bandhan Express was also cancelled on Sunday, PTI reported.
The protests in Bangladesh started after the Sheikh Hasina government took controversial quota decision of facilitating 30 per cent reservation in government jobs to descendants of 1971 war heroes, who fought for independence against the Pakistani regime.
The protests turned deadly on July 16, a day after students at Dhaka University began clashing with police. Violence continued to escalate as police fired tear gas and rubber bullets and hurled smoke grenades to scatter stone-throwing protesters.
Later, Bangladesh Supreme Court scaled down the controversial quota decision.
The Supreme Court was due to decide next month on the legality of the recently reintroduced scheme, but brought forward its verdict as the civil strife intensified.
Ruling on an appeal, the Supreme Court ordered that the veterans’ quota be cut to 5%, with 93% of jobs to be allocated on merit. The remaining 2% will be set aside for members of ethnic minorities and transgender and disabled people.
Law minister Anisul Haq of the ruling Awami League party welcomed the SC decision and said it was “well thought of”.