18 killed in Bangladesh protests: 5 points on crisis in India’s neighbourhood

The quota stir in Bangladesh, which began on July 1 following the High Court’s reinstatement of the freedom fighters’ quota, reserving one-third of civil service posts for their descendants, has escalated into violent clashes. The death toll climbed to 16 and thousands were reported injured.

Thousands of students, armed with sticks and rocks, have faced off against armed police in cities across Bangladesh, including Dhaka, Chattogram, Rangpur, and Cumilla.

Here are five points that show how the students’ agitation has snowballed to a violent crisis in India’s immediate neighbourhood. India, among other countries, has issued a travel advisory for its citizens, as violence spiralled.

1. 18 KILLED, INCLUDING 6 ON THURSDAY

With the situation rapidly deteriorating, in the capital city of Dhaka at least six people died in clashes with police on Thursday, taking the overall toll to 18, according to a Daily Star report.

On Thursday evening, two people were killed and 50 others injured in clashes in the Bahaddarhat area of Chattogram, according to a Daily Star report.

The protesting students, who on Wednesday, called for a “complete shutdown” of Dhaka, and rejected government’s talks offer, amid the raging protests.

A 17-year student of the Dhaka Residential Model College was killed during a clash with the police and the Awami League members in the capital’s Dhanmondi on Thursday afternoon. There were pellet wounds in his body, reported Prothom Alo.

At least 10 students were injured in the clashes, and a police box was set on fire.

In Dhaka’s Uttara locality, at least four people were killed and over 1,000 injured during a clash with the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) on Thursday, reported The Dkaha Tribune. The hospital confirmed that four of the injured were pronounced dead upon arrival.

The hospital confirmed that four of the injured were pronounced dead on arrival, with Uttara Adhunik Medical College Hospital reporting around 500 people seeking treatment following the violence.

2. SCHOOLS COLLEGES UNIVERSITIES SHUT

In the face of escalating violent protests, the education ministry announced the closure of educational institutions at the secondary and higher secondary levels across the country until further notice on Tuesday.

Bangladesh’s University Grants Commission also ordered the shutting down of all public and private universities, its affiliated medical colleges and other institutions, until further notice, reported Dhaka-based The Daily Star.

The ministry said the step was taken for the safety of the school and college students, according to a press release.

The protests, which were mostly carried out by students of public universities, saw students of private universities joining in on Thursday, according to The Daily Star.

The protesters also torched the residence of the Vice-Chancellor of Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur (BRUR), after a student’s death.

They took over hostels and drove out members of the ruling party’s students’ wing — Bangladesh Chattra League.

3. TRAIN, METRO SERVICES HIT BY QUOTA STIR

The student protest and the subsequent arson and stone pelting has caused significant disruptions in Dhaka and other big cities of the country, leading to hardship for the people.

Students took to the streets in at least eight districts, blocking roads and train routes, according to The Daily Star.

Train services were heavily impacted, with blockades in Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, and Chattogram.

The operation of Dhaka Metro, on Thursday, was suspended due to widespread quota protests after 5.30 PM, in public interests.

Earlier, several metro stations, Mirpur-11, Mirpur-10, Kazipara, and Shewrapara were closed after protesters set fire beneath the Mirpur-10 station, reported the Bangla daily Prothom Alo.

The protesting students also staged blockades in the smaller cities of Rajshahi and Barishal for several hours.

4. MOBILE INTERNET, INACCESSIBLE ACROSS BANGLADESH

Mobile users across Bangladesh on Thursday reported being unable to use the mobile internet and access social media amid widespread violence related to the quota stir.

“Several mobile phone users complained about their inability to use Facebook and YouTube despite having data packs,” Md Alam, a flexiload seller in the eastern town of Habiganj told The Daily Star.

The 4G network at all universities has been down since July 16.

However, the 2G network was available, allowing users to make regular voice calls through mobile networks.

5. TV STATION SET ABLAZE, WITH MANY TRAPPED

On Thursday afternoon, protesting students set the Bangladesh Television Centre in Rampura in South Dhaka on fire. Reports said that many students broke through the main gate of the TV station, entered the premises, and set it ablaze.

As of 4.20PM, fire continued to engulf the TV station, reported the Dhaka Tribune.

Many cars and motorbikes in the parking area in front of the building were torched too.

“Various rooms, including the garage on the ground floor, have been set on fire. The fire is still burning, and neither the police, BGB, nor the Fire Service have arrived yet. We are trapped inside. The situation is dire, but important offices and archives are safe for now. Hundreds of protesters are stationed outside,” BTV Director of Administration Ruhul Amin told the Bangla Tribune.

While the Indian Government issued an advisory, the US Embassy in Dhaka remained closed on Thursday and advised its citizens to avoid demonstrations and gatherings.

The Supreme Court will hear the government’s appeal against a High Court verdict that ordered the reinstatement of the quota on August 7. Prime Minister Hasina has urged the students to remain patient until the verdict is delivered.