GUWAHATI: The death toll in fresh clashes over job reservation since Sunday, August 4 in Bangladesh has exceeded 100.
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According to media reports, thousands of protesters gathered across the country, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina with many chanting “down with the autocrat.”
Clashes erupted between the police and students, with security forces using tear gas and stun grenades to disperse the crowds. Last month, similar protests by students resulted in several deaths and injuries. The situation escalated further when students set fire to the state broadcaster's building a day after Hasina appeared on the network to try to calm tensions.
The protests turned violent as government supporters clashed with demonstrators, leading to one of the deadliest days since the unrest began. Local media reported that the death toll might have exceeded 100. Police and medical sources confirmed fatalities across the country, including 14 police officers. Of these, 13 were reportedly killed at Sirajganj's Enayetpur police station and one at Comilla's Elliotganj.
Additionally, over 300 policemen have been injured, as per reports. Protesters also reportedly attacked a station in Enayetpur, and sustained gunfire was reported as they defied a nationwide curfew. Videos on social media showed demonstrators waving a Bangladeshi flag on top of an armored car surrounded by cheering crowds while soldiers watched.
Unidentified individuals and activists from the right-wing Islami Shashontantra Andolon reportedly joined the protests, erecting barricades on major highways and within the capital city. They attacked police stations, ruling party offices, and leaders' residences, setting several vehicles on fire. In response, the government shut down mobile internet services in several areas and announced a three-day general holiday to ensure public safety. Prime Minister Hasina labeled the violent protesters as "terrorists" rather than students and called for firm action against them.
Hasina convened a meeting of the National Committee on Security Affairs, attended by top security officials, including the chiefs of the Army, Navy, Air Force, police, RAB, and BGB. Meanwhile, India advised its citizens to avoid traveling to Bangladesh and urged those already there to exercise caution and stay in touch with the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.
The protests were sparked last month when the Bangladesh high court reinstated a quota system for government jobs, including a 30% reservation for families of veterans from the 1971 war of independence from Pakistan. This overturned a 2018 decision by Prime Minister Hasina's government to scrap the quota. However, the Supreme Court suspended the high court's order following the government's appeal and scheduled a hearing for August 7.
