NEW DELHI: Thousands of protesters gathered in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, on Saturday to demand justice for over 200 people killed during protests last month. They chanted against the government and called for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation. The protests have spread to include people from various backgrounds. Pro-government groups also held rallies in the city.
According to the Prothom Alo newspaper, seven protesters were shot in Cumilla, eastern Bangladesh, when pro-government groups allegedly fired at them while they blocked a road.Thirty protesters were injured, although a ruling party leader denied their supporters attacked the protesters. TV stations reported many injuries across the country.
The protests began last month against a quota system reserving 30% of government jobs for families of 1971 war veterans. Initially peaceful, the protests turned violent on July 15 when students clashed with police and ruling party activists at Dhaka University. Over 200 people have died, and thousands have been injured.
Even after the Supreme Court reduced the quota to 5% on July 21, protests continued due to outrage over the violence. Authorities closed schools and universities, blocked internet access, and imposed a curfew, leading to 11,000 arrests. Internet service has since been restored, and banks and offices have reopened, but tensions remain high.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina offered to talk with student leaders on Saturday, but a coordinator refused on Facebook, saying they couldn’t seek justice from a “killer government.” Hasina promised to investigate the deaths and punish those responsible. The protests have become a major challenge for her, having returned to power for a fourth term in January after an election boycotted by her main opponents.
Initially, the students had a nine-point demand, including a public apology from Hasina and the release of arrested students. On Saturday, they announced a single demand: Hasina’s resignation. They also called for a “non-cooperation” movement, urging people not to pay taxes or utility bills and to keep factories and offices closed. The ruling party’s general secretary said their supporters would demonstrate on Sunday.
Hasina and her ministers blamed the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party and the now-banned Jamaat-e-Islami party for infiltrating the protests and inciting violence. Both parties denied the allegations. The opposition party’s secretary-general said they would continue supporting the protesters.
According to the Prothom Alo newspaper, seven protesters were shot in Cumilla, eastern Bangladesh, when pro-government groups allegedly fired at them while they blocked a road.Thirty protesters were injured, although a ruling party leader denied their supporters attacked the protesters. TV stations reported many injuries across the country.
The protests began last month against a quota system reserving 30% of government jobs for families of 1971 war veterans. Initially peaceful, the protests turned violent on July 15 when students clashed with police and ruling party activists at Dhaka University. Over 200 people have died, and thousands have been injured.
Even after the Supreme Court reduced the quota to 5% on July 21, protests continued due to outrage over the violence. Authorities closed schools and universities, blocked internet access, and imposed a curfew, leading to 11,000 arrests. Internet service has since been restored, and banks and offices have reopened, but tensions remain high.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina offered to talk with student leaders on Saturday, but a coordinator refused on Facebook, saying they couldn’t seek justice from a “killer government.” Hasina promised to investigate the deaths and punish those responsible. The protests have become a major challenge for her, having returned to power for a fourth term in January after an election boycotted by her main opponents.
Initially, the students had a nine-point demand, including a public apology from Hasina and the release of arrested students. On Saturday, they announced a single demand: Hasina’s resignation. They also called for a “non-cooperation” movement, urging people not to pay taxes or utility bills and to keep factories and offices closed. The ruling party’s general secretary said their supporters would demonstrate on Sunday.
Hasina and her ministers blamed the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party and the now-banned Jamaat-e-Islami party for infiltrating the protests and inciting violence. Both parties denied the allegations. The opposition party’s secretary-general said they would continue supporting the protesters.
Source Agencies
