Started as a protest against the quota system, the demonstrations in Bangladesh have now evolved into anti-government protests, which have turned violent, resulting in more than 150 deaths and thousands of injuries.
– University students were met with force by police, who used tear gas, rubber bullets, and live ammunition.
– Protesters were demanding the abolition of a job quota system, which has since been scaled back by the Supreme Court.
– The government has imposed a nationwide curfew, deployed the army, and disrupted internet access for more than 90 hours. Later, limited access was granted, but it remains unreliable.
– Students and doctors have described the violence, including allegations of torture and excessive force by security forces.
– The government blamed political opponents for the unrest, but protesters said they were peacefully demonstrating.
– The violence is the most serious challenge to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government in years.
– Families of victims have shared their stories on social media platforms with limited access of internet, including a student leader who was allegedly tortured and a young man who died in the violence.
– The cause of some deaths is unknown, and relatives are seeking answers.
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