Two killed in fresh Bangladesh protests, pressure mounts on government

In the southwestern district of Khulna, police fired tear gas and rubber bullets, injuring 50, and a policeman was killed during the attack.

The Dhaka-based Daily Star reported that a man was killed and 50 injured in Habiganj following an arson attack on a local Awami League office. The man, an electrician, was shot in the head while buying shoes, according to the report. In Chattogram, around 1,000 protesters held a procession after Friday prayers and set a roadside police guard post on fire.

The student-led protests, which initially began as a peaceful demonstration against a job quota system, have become a significant challenge to Hasina’s 15-year rule. The violence, which erupted on July 15, has led to internet shutdowns and a curfew with shoot-on-sight orders, with schools and universities remaining closed.

Student groups led demonstrations last month against government job quotas, including a 30% reservation for families of veterans from the 1971 war of independence against Pakistan.

These protests quickly descended into violence, resulting in at least 150 deaths, thousands of injuries, and around 10,000 arrests. The unrest paused after the Supreme Court annulled most of the quotas.

The unrest highlights significant economic issues in Bangladesh, once praised for its growth. The country faces high commodity prices, declining exports, and low foreign exchange reserves. The lack of quality jobs for young graduates has intensified the discontent.

Despite scaling back the quota system, the government’s violent response has kept many students on the streets. Groups of students, teachers, and civil society members are now demanding justice for the victims, while Hasina’s opponents are calling for her resignation.

The UN and the US have condemned the authorities’ crackdown. The Bangladeshi government alleges that armed opposition supporters infiltrated the student protests to attack security forces and state establishments. Although the violence has subsided and a degree of normalcy is returning, with the curfew relaxed and internet access restored, the turmoil around Hasina continues.

Critics accuse her of authoritarianism and using security forces to suppress dissent, while Hasina blames opposition parties for inciting violence. The government has banned the Jamaat-e-Islami party and its student wing, a move that may further escalate tensions.