Over 30 Killed in Bangladesh Protests: 5 Points on Crisis in India's Neighbourhood.

Over 30 Killed in Bangladesh Protests: 5 Points on Crisis in India's Neighbourhood.

                    As the quota protests and turmoil continue in Bangladesh, at least 39 people have reportedly been killed following nationwide clashes with security personnel. The stir that has left thousands injured, has crippled life in several cities in Bangladesh. The trains, metro, and the internet were hit. A TV station was torched too.

In Short:Quota stir turns violent across several cities in Bangladesh
39 killed, thousands injured as protestors clashed with police
Mobile internet inaccessible, TV station ablaze, train services hit

The quota stir in Bangladesh, which began on July 1 following the High Court's reinstatement of the freedom fighters' quota, reserving one-third of civil service posts for their descendants, has escalated into violent clashes. The death toll has climbed to at least 39, and thousands have been reported injured. Thousands of students, armed with sticks and rocks, have faced off against armed police in cities across Bangladesh, including Dhaka, Chattogram, Rangpur, and Cumilla. Here are five points that show how the students' agitation has snowballed to a violent crisis in India's immediate neighbourhood. India, among other countries, has issued a travel advisory for its citizens, as violence spiralled.

1. 39 Killed, Including 32 on Thursday

With the situation rapidly deteriorating, at least 32 people were killed on Thursday in addition to seven killed earlier in the week, bringing the total number to 39, as per hospital data analysed by news agency AFP. On Thursday evening, two people were killed and 50 others injured in clashes in the Bahaddarhat area of Chattogram, according to a Daily Star report. The protesting students, who on Wednesday, called for a "complete shutdown" of Dhaka, and rejected the government's talks offer, amid the raging protests. A 35-year-old journalist, Hasan Mehedi, was killed amid the quota protest at Jatrabari in Dhaka on Thursday. Hasan was a staff reporter of Dhaka Times, said Inspector Md Bacchu Mia, in charge of the Dhaka Medical College Hospital police outpost.

 A 17-year student of the Dhaka Residential Model College was killed during a clash with the police and the Awami League members in the capital's Dhanmondi on Thursday afternoon. There were pellet wounds in his body, reported Prothom Alo. At least 10 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 injured during a clash with the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) on Thursday, reported The Dhaka Tribune. The hospital confirmed that four of the injured were pronounced dead upon arrival, with Uttara Adhunik Medical College Hospital reporting around 500 people seeking treatment following the violence.

2. 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. Bangladesh's University Grants Commission also ordered the shutting down of all public and private universities, its affiliated medical colleges and other institutions, until further notice, reported Dhaka-based The Daily Star. The ministry said the step was taken for the safety of the school and college students, according to a press release.

3. Mobile Internet Inaccessible, TV Station Ablaze, Train Services Hit

The violent protests in Bangladesh have severely impacted the country's infrastructure. Mobile internet services have been disrupted, making it difficult for people to communicate and access information. Additionally, a TV station was set ablaze by protestors, further escalating the crisis. Train services have also been hit, causing significant inconvenience to commuters and disrupting daily life in several cities.

4. Thousands of Students Armed with Sticks and Rocks

The quota protests in Bangladesh have seen thousands of students taking to the streets, armed with sticks and rocks. These students have faced off against armed police in various cities, including Dhaka, Chattogram, Rangpur, and Cumilla. The confrontations have been violent, with both sides suffering injuries. The students are demanding the government revoke the High Court's reinstatement of the freedom fighters' quota, which reserves one-third of civil service posts for their descendants.

5. International Response and Travel Advisory

The escalating violence in Bangladesh has garnered international attention. Several countries, including India, have issued travel advisories for their citizens, warning them to avoid travel to Bangladesh until the situation stabilises. The Indian government has expressed concern over the ongoing violence and has urged the Bangladeshi authorities to take necessary measures to restore peace and order.

The violent quota protests in Bangladesh have created a severe crisis in the country's immediate neighbourhood, affecting thousands of lives. With at least 39 people killed and thousands injured, the situation remains volatile. The shutdown of educational institutions, disruption of mobile internet services, and the torching of a TV station highlight the gravity of the crisis. As the international community watches closely, the Bangladeshi government faces immense pressure to resolve the situation and restore normalcy.

The quota stir, which began as a protest against the High Court's decision, has now turned into a major political and social issue, affecting the entire nation. The road to peace and stability will require careful handling of the situation, addressing the concerns of the protestors, and ensuring that such incidents do not recur in the future.