At least six people were killed and hundreds injured in clashes between quota protesters, police, and ruling party members across three districts, including the capital Dhaka, on Tuesday.

In the capital, two individuals were killed, while three died in Chattogram and one in Rangpur. Reports indicate they were shot by activists from the BCL, Jubo League, Awami League, and police officers.

The deceased in Chattogram were identified as Mohammad Faruk, Wasim Akram, and Mohammad Faisal. In Rangpur, Abu Sayeed, a 25-year-old student from the English Department of Begum Rokeya University, was killed. The identities of those killed in Dhaka have not yet been confirmed.

Many of the injured, some in critical condition with bullet wounds, were admitted to various hospitals nationwide.

During the clashes, numerous vehicles and buildings were set on fire and vandalized. Notably, two buses were torched in front of the Jatiya Press Club around 8:30 PM, and seven crude bomb explosions were reported.

In response, the government announced the indefinite closure of all schools, colleges, and polytechnic institutes for student safety, and postponed the next day's Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examination.

At 8:45 PM, Hasnat Abdullah, a coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Students’ Movement, announced the end of their program for the day, stating they would not protest on Wednesday in observance of holy Ashura and would announce their next steps after discussion.

Defiant quota protesters took to the streets, demanding punishment for those who attacked them and calling for merit-based public job reforms.

According to eyewitnesses, armed leaders and activists from the Awami League, Jubo League, and Chhatra League attacked protesters, who defended themselves with sticks. Police also attacked protesters, turning many areas into battlegrounds.

In response to the violence, the government deployed Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) members in Dhaka, Gazipur, Chattogram, Rangpur, Bogura, and Rajshahi to restore order, according to Shariful Islam, Public Relations Officer of the paramilitary force.

BDST: 0821 HRS, JULY 17, 2024
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