The quota controversy in Bangladesh, which began on July 1 following the High Court's reinstatement of the freedom fighters' quota, has escalated into violent clashes. The quota reserves one-third of civil service posts for the descendants of freedom fighters, sparking widespread unrest. The death toll has risen to 18, with thousands reported injured.
Thousands of students, armed with sticks and rocks, have confronted armed police in cities across Bangladesh, including Dhaka, Chattogram, Rangpur, and Cumilla. In Dhaka, at least six people died in clashes with police on Thursday, escalating the overall toll.
On Thursday evening, two people were killed and 50 others injured in clashes in the Bahaddarhat area of Chattogram. The protesting students, who called for a "complete shutdown" of Dhaka on Wednesday, have rejected the government's offer for talks amid the ongoing protests.
A 17-year-old student from Dhaka Residential Model College was killed during a clash with the police and Awami League members in Dhanmondi on Thursday afternoon. His body had pellet wounds. At least ten 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 were injured during a clash with the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) on Thursday. Uttara Adhunik Medical College Hospital confirmed that four of the injured were pronounced dead upon arrival, with around 500 people seeking treatment following the violence.
TV Station Set Ablaze, with Many Trapped
On Thursday afternoon, protesting students set the Bangladesh Television Centre in Rampura, South Dhaka, on fire. Reports indicated that many students broke through the main gate of the TV station, entered the premises, and set it ablaze. As of 4:20 PM, the fire continued to engulf the TV station, according to the Dhaka Tribune. Many cars and motorbikes in the parking area in front of the building were also torched.
"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.
Schools, Colleges, and 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. The protests, which were mostly carried out by students of public universities, saw students of private universities joining in on Thursday. The protesters also torched the residence of the Vice-Chancellor of Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur (BRUR), after a student's death.
Train and Metro Services Hit by Quota Protests
The student protest and the subsequent arson and stone-pelting have caused significant disruptions in Dhaka and other major cities, leading to hardship for the people. Students took to the streets in at least eight districts, blocking roads and train routes. Train services were heavily impacted, with blockades in Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, and Chattogram. The operation of the Dhaka Metro was suspended on Thursday after 5:30 PM due to widespread quota protests, in public interest.
Mobile Internet Inaccessible
Mobile users across Bangladesh reported being unable to use mobile internet and access social media amid widespread violence related to the quota protests. 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.
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