Four Dead in Violent Quota Reform Protests as Nationwide Shutdown Paralyzes Bangladesh
Dhaka, July 18, 2024 – A nationwide ‘complete shutdown’ in Bangladesh has turned deadly as quota reform protests lead to violent clashes between students and police, resulting in four fatalities across Dhaka’s Uttara, Badda, and Savar areas.
Shutdown and Disruptions
The shutdown, initiated by quota reform activists, has effectively paralyzed normal life across the country. Major highways including Dhaka-Chattogram, Dhaka-Barishal, and Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar have been blocked, severely disrupting intercity travel and public services. The protests, demanding reforms in government job quotas and condemning recent violent crackdowns on students, have caused widespread chaos.
Fatal Clashes
In Uttara, two individuals were killed in clashes between Northern University students and police. The victims were transported to Bangladesh Medical College, Uttara Branch, where they were pronounced dead. Nurse Supervisor Shahida Begum reported a large number of injured individuals awaiting treatment, further straining the hospital’s resources.
In the Badda and Rampura areas, violence resulted in the death of Dulal Matbor, a Hiace driver who was inadvertently caught in the conflict. Matbor was taken to Farazy Hospital, where he was declared dead. Deputy General Manager Rubel Hossain confirmed that between 200-300 people have been treated at the hospital due to the protests.
In Savar, a student from the Military Institute of Science and Technology was fatally injured after climbing onto a police APC van and being shot with pellets. He was rushed to Enam Medical College and Hospital, where he was pronounced dead by Duty Manager Yousuf Ali.
Emergency Response
During the protests at Badda, a Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) helicopter was deployed to rescue police officers stranded inside Canadian International University. The officers were trapped while pursuing protesters. The helicopter successfully evacuated the stranded personnel and conducted an aerial assessment of the situation. RAB officials clarified that the helicopter’s involvement was solely for rescue purposes and not for direct intervention.
Ongoing Tensions
The escalating violence underscores the deepening crisis over quota reform and the government’s handling of student protests. The nationwide shutdown and resulting casualties highlight the severe impact of the unrest on public safety and infrastructure. As the situation continues to evolve, the country remains on high alert.