Bangladesh Protests Turn Deadly: 17 Killed in Student Unrest
At least 17 people are dead after student protests against civil service hiring quotas exploded into violence across Bangladesh on Thursday. Thousands of students armed with sticks and rocks clashed with police in Dhaka and other cities, sparking chaos and widespread disruption.
Students Demand Fair Job Quotas
The protests have been building for weeks over a quota system that reserves a third of government jobs for families of independence war veterans from 1971. Students slam this as discriminatory amid soaring youth unemployment. They want a merit-based hiring system instead.
Deadly Clashes and Brutal Crackdowns
Dhaka bore the brunt of the violence, where 11 people died, including a bus driver and a student. Two others were killed in Narayanganj and another two in Chittagong. Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to break up crowds. Protesters fought back by torching vehicles and attacking police stations.
Hundreds were injured in the chaos. To curb unrest, the government shut down mobile internet nationwide to stop the spread of rumours, said junior IT minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak.
Government and Global Response
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina vowed a judicial panel to investigate the deaths and promised justice. She urged patience while the Supreme Court considers an appeal to reinstate the quotas next month. But protests have only intensified.
Meanwhile, the US and Indian embassies warned their citizens to steer clear of demonstrations. Amnesty International and the UN called on the Bangladeshi government to protect peaceful protesters.
What’s Next?
Law Minister Anisul Huq says the government is open to talks with the students, but tensions remain high. Bangladesh faces an uncertain future as protests show no sign of stopping and the fight for fair jobs heats up.
