BANGLADESHI STUDENT GROUP VOW TO RESUME PROTESTS AMID POLICE CRACKDOWN

Sun 28 July 2024:

A Bangladeshi student organization has pledged to restart demonstrations that led to a violent police response and nationwide unrest unless their detained leaders are released by Sunday.

Last week’s turmoil, which resulted in at least 205 deaths according to AFP’s compilation of police and hospital data, marks one of the most significant challenges to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year leadership. Despite army patrols and a nationwide curfew being enforced for over a week, police continue to arrest thousands of demonstrators, including numerous student leaders.

Students Against Discrimination’s Demands

Students Against Discrimination, whose protest against civil service hiring rules triggered the unrest, announced their intent to end a week-long protest suspension. “Nahid Islam and other leaders should be freed and the cases against them must be withdrawn,” said Abdul Hannan Masud in an online briefing on Saturday. Masud, currently in hiding, also called for “visible actions” against officials responsible for the protester deaths, warning of renewed protests starting Monday if demands are unmet.

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Arrests and Police Actions

On Friday, Islam and two senior members were forcibly removed from a Dhaka hospital by plainclothes detectives. Islam, who was receiving treatment for police-inflicted injuries, expressed fear for his life earlier in the week. Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan claimed the trio was taken into custody for their safety but did not confirm formal arrests. Police have since detained additional activists.

National Impact and Quota Controversy

Approximately 9,000 individuals have been arrested since the protests began, per Prothom Alo, Bangladesh’s largest newspaper. The unrest started over the reintroduction of a quota system reserving more than half of government jobs for specific candidates, a move that angered many of the country’s 18 million unemployed young people. Critics argue the quota system favors ruling Awami League loyalists. The Supreme Court recently reduced the number of reserved jobs but did not meet protester demands to eliminate quotas entirely.

Prime Minister Hasina, who has led Bangladesh since 2009 and won her fourth consecutive election in January, faces mounting pressure as the situation evolves.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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