DHAKA: Soldiers patrolled the deserted streets of Dhaka on Saturday, with the government ordering a two-day closure of all offices and institutions after over 114 people were killed during student-led protests against government job quotas.
Death Toll Rises Amid Protests
At least four people died during sporadic clashes on Saturday in some areas of Dhaka, where security forces set up roadblocks to enforce a curfew. The protests erupted following student anger against quotas for government jobs.
Government’s Response
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government declared Sunday and Monday as public holidays, allowing only emergency services to operate. Universities and colleges were closed from Wednesday. The government had scrapped the quota system in 2018, but it was reinstated by a court last month. The Supreme Court suspended this decision after a government appeal and scheduled a hearing for Sunday, earlier than the previously set August 7.
Nationwide Unrest
The protests, the largest since Hasina’s re-election for a fourth consecutive term, are fueled by high youth unemployment. Young people constitute nearly a fifth of the population. The internet and text message services have been suspended since Thursday, disconnecting the nation as police cracked down on protesters defying a ban on public gatherings. The shutdown also affected electricity meter top-ups, leaving many without power.
Clashes and Casualties
Thousands have been injured in the clashes, with the Dhaka Medical College Hospital receiving 27 bodies on Friday evening. Throughout the week, police fired tear gas, rubber bullets, and sound grenades to disperse protesters who were throwing bricks and setting fire to vehicles. With the death toll rising and security forces struggling to contain the protests, a national curfew was imposed, and the military was deployed with orders to shoot on sight if necessary.
Curfew and Military Presence
The curfew was briefly eased for two hours on Saturday to allow people to shop for supplies. The curfew will last until 10 am (0400 GMT) on Sunday, when the government will reassess the situation. Soldiers inspected identification cards at checkpoints, with TV footage showing troops setting up roadblocks and bunkers at strategic locations. Roads were littered with stones and debris, shops remained shuttered, and streets were marked by charred vehicles and uprooted barricades.
Escalation of Violence
In Narsingdi, central Bangladesh, protesters stormed a jail on Friday, freeing over 850 inmates and setting fire to the facility. Scattered incidents of arson were reported on Saturday in various parts of the country. Many opposition party leaders, activists, and student protesters have been arrested, including Nahid Islam, a leading student coordinator, who was detained at 2 am on Saturday.
International Reactions
Neighbouring India reported nearly 1,000 Indian students returning home since the violence began, while Pakistani authorities moved students stuck in Bangladesh to safe places. Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, have condemned the government’s handling of the protests, describing the rising death toll as a shocking indictment of the authorities’ intolerance to protest and dissent.
The situation in Bangladesh remains tense, with the government enforcing strict measures to control the unrest. The protests highlight the deep-rooted issues of unemployment and political dissatisfaction among the youth. The government’s response and the ensuing violence have drawn significant international criticism, underscoring the need for a peaceful resolution and meaningful dialogue to address the underlying grievances of the protesters.
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