Six dead in unrest across Bangladesh

3 in Chattogram, 2 in Dhaka, and 1 in Rangpur.

Staff Reporter: On Tuesday (July 16), throughout the country, including the capital, Dhaka, incidents of protest, clashes, and violence occurred as part of the quota reform movement. In these incidents, six people lost their lives in Dhaka, Chattogram, and Rangpur. Among them were three students, a passerby, and a businessman. Another person's identity remains unknown. Several others, including students, police, and journalists, were injured in the clashes. Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) was deployed to control Dhaka, Chattogram, Bogura, and Rajshahi. As a result of the unrest throughout the day, transportation services were suspended in Dhaka, disrupting railway connections across the country.

In consideration of the safety of students during the protests, the Ministry of Education has announced the closure of all secondary and higher secondary level educational institutions until further notice. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has also directed all government and private universities in the country to suspend their academic activities indefinitely. Additionally, the Intermediate and Secondary Education Board of Bangladesh has postponed the scheduled Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations on Wednesday (July 17).

On Monday, clashes erupted at the Dhaka University campus as student wing Chhatra League activists launched an attack on students protesting for quota reforms. In response, students gathered for a demonstration in the Science Laboratory area on Tuesday afternoon. School and college students also joined the protest. Around midday, Chhatra League and Jubo League activists initiated attacks during the protest march in that area. Subsequently, clashes ensued between the two sides in the area. During the confrontation, two young individuals lost their lives. One of them was identified as M Shahjahan (25), a hacker from the New Market area.

Around 8 o'clock of the day, Shahjahan's body was identified by his mother, Ayesha Begum, and uncle, Moslem Uddin, at Dhaka Medical College Hospital morgue. They informed me that Shahjahan's family resides in the Poshtogola area of Keraniganj. His father's name was the late Mohsin. Among three brothers and one sister, Shahjahan was the third child. He lived with his wife in the Chan Mosque area of Kamrangirchar. In the New Market area, he used to sell umbrellas in front of Balaka Cinema Hall. On Tuesday morning, he had left home for his business activities.

At around 3 pm yesterday, students in Muradpur, Chattogram, came under attack. During this time, several armed individuals were seen firing bullets. Hand bombs were also reportedly detonated, targeting the students. The students allege that the Jubo League and Chhatra League activists carried out this attack. In the clashes, three people were killed in Chattogram. Among them, the identities of the two have been confirmed. They are Mohammad Faruk (32), an employee at a hardware store, and Mohammad Wasim (22), a student at Chattogram College and a member of the college branch of the student wing. The identity of the third deceased has not been disclosed. Additionally, at least 20 injured individuals have been admitted to the emergency department of Chattogram Medical College Hospital. Doctors there have noted gunshot wounds on the chests and backs of two of the deceased.

In front of Begum Rokeya University in Muradpur, Rangpur, clashes erupted yesterday around 2 pm between activists of Chhatra League and protesting students. Subsequently, the police became involved in the conflict. Abu Sayed was injured in the clash, and although he was taken to Rangpur Medical College Hospital, he had already passed away, as confirmed by Hridoy Ranjan Roy, the head of the surgical department at the hospital.

The protesters had obstructed railway tracks from 2 pm to 8 pm yesterday. This led to the suspension of railway services nationwide, affecting train connections with Dhaka. Reports of railway blockades have also been received from areas outside the capital, such as Gazipur, Chattogram, Feni, Mymensingh, and Rangpur. Besides railway tracks, highway blockades have occurred in various locations.

Due to clashes between quota reform protesters and students in different parts of the country on Tuesday, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has been deployed to maintain law and order in Dhaka, Chattogram, Bogura, Gazipur, Rangpur, and Rajshahi, according to Shariful Islam, a BGB communication officer, who conveyed through the media.

On July 16 afternoon, starting at 3 pm, students and job seekers from various halls of Dhaka University gathered at Central Shaheed Minar as part of the announced program. Students from Jagannath University, Dhaka College, Government Titumir College, Bangla College, Eden Mohila College, Badrunnesa College, and students from various Dhaka colleges and universities joined them. The agitated students raised multiple slogans against quotas during this time. After concluding the assembly, protesters stayed in front of the Vice-Chancellor's residence building of Dhaka University from 8 pm to 10 pm.

Before this, students attempted to march toward Raju Memorial Sculpture but were prevented by law enforcement due to security reasons. At that time, Nahid Islam, another coordinator of the quota reform movement, said, "Due to the closure of Ashura on Wednesday, a new program will be announced after discussing it with everyone."

Asif Mahmud, another coordinator of the quota reform student movement, later communicated through social media that today at 2 pm, there will be an absentia funeral and coffin procession at Raju Memorial Sculpture for those who died in the clashes.

Unknown miscreants set fire to two buses in the area of the National Press Club in the capital. Upon receiving the news, multiple units of the Fire Service rushed to the scene and brought the fire under control. Shajahan, a fire service official responsible for the incident, reported that the incident occurred around 8 pm last night. He mentioned setting fire to the two buses: "Within a few minutes, we managed to bring the fire under control."

Due to the unexpected situation arising from the reversal of plans between protesters and the Chhatra League at Dhaka University, police officers are on alert at various points within the university. In the evening, the university authorities prohibited outsiders from entering the campus. On Tuesday, the university's Proctorial Body held an emergency meeting to ensure the safety of students. It has been announced that a decision has been made regarding the prohibition of outsiders from entering the campus. At the same time, university students have been advised to carry valid identification cards.

On the one hand, the opposition party, the Jatiya Party (JP), expressed support for the ongoing quota reform movement in a press conference on Tuesday and pledged to stand with the protesters on the streets.

Meanwhile, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has urged the general public and political parties to support the students. Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has assured that the government will take timely action against any misconduct by the protesters.

Biniyougbarta/SAM//