Bangladesh Student Protest: The ongoing student protests in Bangladesh have become quite fierce and violent. News agency AFP reported on Friday that Bangladesh’s student protests have reached one of the deadliest days in the country. Students set fire to several government buildings, after which internet service has been banned across the country. At least 39 people have been killed in violent protests during this week, of which 32 people were killed on Thursday. The protests have spread to 64 districts of the country, after which the death toll is expected to increase further.
After the internet service in the country was almost completely shut down, the police said that the protesters have set fire to several police offices and government offices. Vandalism and ‘destructive activities’ have been carried out at many places. These include the Dhaka headquarters of the country’s state broadcaster ‘Bangladesh Television’. Hundreds of angry students entered the television headquarters and set the building on fire, after which the government TV channel has been shut down.
50 police booths burnt in Dhaka
Faruk Hussain, a spokesman for the police force in the capital Dhaka, told AFP that “about 100 policemen were injured and about 50 police booths were burned in yesterday’s clashes.” The police statement said that if such violent protests continue, the police will be forced to take extremely strict measures.
Manikganj Dhaka 🇧🇩
During the protest, the terrorists of the Bangladesh Chhatra League (student wing of ruling party AL) were seen openly attacking the students with sharp weapons.pic.twitter.com/F9881CW16x— Nznn Ahmed (@na_nznn) July 18, 2024
death due to police firing
On the other hand, hospital staff told AFP that ‘at least two-thirds of the deaths so far have been attributed to police firing.’ According to Independent Television, clashes broke out in at least 26 districts across the country on Thursday. The network reported that more than 700 people were injured during the day, including 104 police officers and 30 journalists.
What is the demand of Bangladesh students
Actually, the ongoing protest in Bangladesh is against reservation. The students demand that the quota system in the country should be abolished. More than half of the civil service posts have been reserved, including for the children of freedom fighters of the 1971 Liberation War against Pakistan. Students say that such rules benefit the children of pro-government groups.
Police shot & killed an unarmed student protester Abu Sayed from point-blank range during a peaceful quota reform protest in Bangladesh. As of 11:00 pm, at least 5 more people have been killed by BCL (ruling party’s student wing) in Dhaka, Ctg, Rangpur. #AlleyesonBangladesh pic.twitter.com/8CeOeE0p0q
— Mehedi Hasan Marof (@MehediMarof) July 16, 2024
Human rights groups blamed the government
On the other hand, human rights groups have accused the Sheikh Hasina government of abusing state institutions to strengthen its grip on power and suppress dissent. It has been accused of killing opposition activists. Sheikh Hasina’s government has ordered the indefinite closure of schools and universities across the country.
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