Bangladesh Protest: Bangladesh has become an epicentre of violence as student protesters, security personnel, and pro-government student activists have been engaged in continuous altercations over a contentious government job quota system. Thursday was the most violent day thus far, with at least 39 people having died.
Police and protestors carrying sticks and rocks clashed all around the nation, including in the capital city of Dhaka, sparking the chaos that followed. When students attempted to stop transit across Bangladesh, authorities had to use tear gas and rubber bullets, which resulted in hundreds of injuries. In retaliation, demonstrators set fire to cars, police stations, and other buildings.
Dhaka’s Deserted Streets and Media Blackout
Following the violent protests on Thursday, the streets of Dhaka appeared deserted on Friday. Local TV news channels ceased transmission, and communication services were widely disrupted. Authorities cut some mobile services on Thursday to quell the unrest, but the disruption soon spread nationwide. According to outage monitor NetBlocks, Bangladesh experienced a “near-total” internet shutdown by nightfall. International telephone calls and internet-based communication were largely ineffective.
Destruction and Unrest Intensify
On Thursday, student protesters set fire to the state broadcaster’s building, just a day after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina appealled for peace. Several police posts, vehicles, and other establishments were also torched, and multiple Awami League officers were attacked.
The Quota System Controversy
The protesters demand an end to the quota system that reserves 30% of government jobs for the families of those who fought in the 1971 war of independence from Pakistan. This agitation, driven by high unemployment rates, is the largest since Prime Minister Hasina’s reelection earlier this year. The protests began late last month and escalated on Monday when Dhaka University student activists clashed with police and counter-protesters backed by the ruling Awami League.
Protesters demand a merit-based system, claiming that the quota system is discriminatory and favours Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League followers. Despite the fact that these quotas were eliminated by the Bangladeshi government in 2018, a High Court later restored them.
Awaiting Supreme Court Decision
The Bangladesh Supreme Court is set to hear the government’s appeal against the High Court’s reinstatement of the quota on August 7. Prime Minister Hasina has appealed for peace, assuring students they will not be disappointed by the Supreme Court’s decision. She also promised judicial inquiries and justice for the perpetrators of violence.
Allegations and International Reactions
The ruling Awami League claimed the protest turned violent after infiltration by Chhatra Shibir, the student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh, and another organization, Chhatra Dal. Security forces were deployed to maintain order.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged authorities to look into the violence and hold those responsible accountable, as well as for all parties to exercise restraint.
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