Bangladesh Protests: 39 killed in Bangladesh quota violence; protestors set fire state broadcaster’s building

Bangladesh Protests: The recent protests in Bangladesh have been marked by severe violence, with reports indicating that at least 39 people have been killed. 

The unrest began over demands for reform of the country’s quota system for civil service jobs, which reserves positions for specific groups, including descendants of those who participated in the 1971 war of independence against Pakistan.

On Friday, Bangladeshi students set fire to the state broadcaster’s building, following Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s televised address seeking to calm the clashes. 

UNREST IN BANGLADESH | IN POINTS 

• Bangladesh, appeared largely deserted following the violent protests
• Communication services faced significant disruptions, with authorities having already cut some mobile services on Thursday in an attempt to manage the unrest.
• The situation worsened with a near-total internet blackout reported by NetBlocks as night approached.

• Several police posts, vehicles and other establishments were also torched. Multiple Awami League officers were also attacked by the students.
• Hundreds of protesters, advocating for reforms in civil service hiring practices, clashed with riot police, who responded with rubber bullets.
• Almost 1,000 individuals have received hospital treatment for injuries from clashes with police, many of which were caused by rubber bullets
• Several cities in Bangladesh experienced violence as riot police confronted protesters who had organized new road and highway blockades.
• On Thursday, protests intensified as students clashed with law enforcement in various locations across Dhaka.

• In Merul Badda, near Brac University, demonstrators blocked roads and engaged in violent confrontations with police, resulting in multiple injuries. By late morning, police deployed tear gas to disperse the crowd, leading to significant traffic disruptions in the area.
• Additionally, students obstructed the entrance to the Bashundhara Residential Area on Pragati Sarani and blocked the Dhaka-Chittagong highway in Jatrabari, severely affecting public transportation and causing widespread inconvenience. 

The protests began in response to perceived police brutality and have evolved into a broader demand for justice for those injured or killed in previous demonstrations, as well as a call for a violence-free campus and rational reform of the quota system.