Foreign media reports indicate that after a week of violent suppression of student protests in Bangladesh, the death toll has risen to 201, with many protesters being transferred to hospitals for treatment.
Anadolu Agency reported on Thursday, July 25th, that sources confirmed the death of four additional protesters on Wednesday, bringing the total number of fatalities to 201.
According to the report, these deaths were confirmed late Wednesday by a health source in Dhaka, Bangladesh’s capital, while the Associated Press reported that, following a week of violent repression, government offices in the country have resumed their regular operations.
The Bengali-language newspaper Prothom Alo reported that during the crackdown, approximately 4,500 individuals, including 1,400 protesters, were arrested on Wednesday.
Bangladesh’s Interior Minister, Asaduzzaman Khan, commented on the potential fate of the protesters, stating: “We will identify them one by one with all our efforts. They will face legal consequences.”
Bangladeshi students began their protests after the government introduced a job quota plan. This plan proposes that up to 30% of government jobs be allocated to the families of soldiers who fought in the country’s 1971 independence war.
Despite the government’s introduction of this quota plan, which Voice of America reports, Bangladesh is facing a high youth unemployment rate. The report indicates that nearly 32 million Bangladeshi youths, out of a total population of 170 million, are either unemployed or deprived of educational opportunities.
Further reports on the student protests show that the government, led by Sheikh Hasina, has agreed to the protesters’ demands and will open 93% of government jobs to competition.
Additionally, internet services have been restricted in Bangladesh since last Thursday, and there are also restrictions on movement within Dhaka city.
Furthermore, the violent crackdown on student protests in Bangladesh has led to significant casualties and widespread unrest. The government’s decision to open a majority of government jobs to competition may address some of the protesters’ demands, but the ongoing restrictions on internet access and public movement highlight the continued tensions and challenges facing the country.
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