Bangladesh Protests: Fresh violence has emerged in Bangladesh between police and students who have been protesting and seeking justice for victims of recent unrest in the country over the reinstatement of quotas in jobs pertaining to civil services.
Over 200 people lost their lives in the violence that broke out this month. Most deaths took place due to open fire by police. Nearly 10,000 people have reportedly been detained. Clashes were also reported in the capital Dhaka and other cities. Students protesting against the discrimination movement called a "March for Justice" on Wednesday.
The students said that they were demonstrating against "mass killings, arrests, attacks, and disappearances of students and people," the BBC reported.
Students began a protest against attempts to reinstate quotas in civil service jobs for relatives of veterans from the country’s war for independence from Pakistan in 1971.
According to the BBC, an official in the north-eastern city of Sylhet said that demonstrators had attacked police, which prompted them to resort to tear gas on Wednesday.
Demonstrations occurred in several major cities, including Dhaka, Chittagong, Khulna, Barisal, Rajshahi, and Sylhet, leading to numerous clashes with police and multiple arrests.
‘March For Justice’ Sees Students Confrontation With Law
The "March for Justice," organised by the Anti-Discriminatory Student Movement, witnessed confrontations with law enforcement on Wednesday.
According to the Bangladesh news website Dhaka Tribune, students, teachers, and lawyers sought justice for victims of the police crackdown on the movement against quota.
The protest in front of the High Court turned tense around after two students were detained by police.
The two detained students were identified as Nahid and Arif, from the Matsya Bhaban intersection as they were heading to the High Court, the Dhaka Tribune reported.
According to the witnesses, lawyers surrounded the police van at the High Court intersection, demanding the release of the students. Their efforts were backed by strong protests from other students and teachers, which forced the police to release the detained students.
Students from various private universities, schools, and colleges in Dhaka, including BUET, gathered near the High Court gate by Doyel Chattar. Despite police obstructions, the students managed to enter the High Court premises, fuelled by the determination to voice their demands.