Life halts in Bangladesh as protests erupt over public sector quotas, leaving 7 dead
In Bangladesh, universities were ordered to close indefinitely after 6 people lost their lives in protests over the decision to allocate quotas in the public sector to the children of those who served in the 1971 War of Independence, Dhaka, July 17, 2024. (AA Photo)
While protests continue regarding the decision to allocate quotas in the public sector for the children of individuals who served in the 1971 Independence War in Bangladesh, demonstrators have initiated a “shutdown” across the country.
According to the Dhaka Tribune, Asif Mahmud, one of the protests’ main coordinators, announced on his Facebook account that they have declared a nationwide “shutdown.”
As part of this action, all institutions and organizations, except hospitals and emergency services, will be prohibited from operating.
The protesters also called on the opposition and citizens to support their movement.
Death toll in clashes rises to 7
Meanwhile, Bacchu Mia, the officer in charge of the police station at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, announced that an 18-year-old youth was killed in clashes between protesters and police.
Mia reported that the death toll since the beginning of the protests has risen to seven.
Authorities have deployed an additional 7,000 law enforcement personnel to significant cities where protests are intense.
Amnesty International stated that its Crisis Evidence Lab has analyzed images, photos, and witness statements related to the protests.
The statement indicated that the analyzed data showed the police used “unlawful force” against student protesters.
Public sector quotas
In Bangladesh, 56% of entry-level positions in the public sector are reserved for specific demographic groups and classes, with 30% of these positions allocated to families of those who participated in the 1971 Liberation War.
These quotas were abolished in 2018 because of nationwide protests.
Protests began after the High Court’s decision last month to reinstate the quota system.
In the protests that have continued in Dhaka, Chattogram, and Rangpur, clashes and police interventions on July 16 resulted in the deaths of six people and injuries to approximately 250 students.
The Bangladesh Higher Education Authority requested the closure of all state and private universities “to protect students” until further notice.
According to the Dhaka Tribune, some universities, including Dhaka University, where the protests are being held, they were announced that their institutions would be closed indefinitely.
Despite the decision to close universities, students have refused to leave their campuses.
Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed stated yesterday that she has ordered the establishment of a committee to investigate the deaths of students in the protests.
