Dhaka, July 19 (Tezzbuzz). In Bangladesh, life is disrupted due to the protests of students who took to the streets demanding reforms in the reservation system for government jobs. Three people died in fresh clashes in Rampura-Bada area of the capital Dhaka today. Earlier, at least 18 people died in violence in Dhaka and other places yesterday. With this, the death toll has risen to 28 since the movement began. Internet services have been suspended in many parts of the country.
The protesters demand that reservation in government jobs be abolished. More than 2,500 people have been injured in the violence so far. According to hospital sources, Abdul Ghani (45), Rakib (22) and Russel have died. Abdul Ghani and Rakib were brought to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital at around 2 pm today. After examination, the doctor on duty declared them dead at 2:20 pm. Apart from this, Russel was declared dead at Farazi Hospital in Rampura. About 200 injured people have also been taken to Farazi Hospital.
Asif Mahmud, the chief coordinator of the student movement, said that the complete blockade will continue across the country. Groups of protesters are demonstrating despite the Dhaka Metropolitan Police's order banning all types of gatherings and processions in the capital. They clashed with the police in Rampura and Badda areas of the capital at 10 am today. Helicopters were seen patrolling both these places before three o'clock in the afternoon. Police are clashing with Bangladesh Nationalist Party leaders and workers in the surrounding areas of the capital, including Press Club, Segunbagicha, Shilpakala, Vijayanagar and Purana Paltan.
UN Secretary General appeals for restraint: UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has appealed to all parties to exercise restraint and create a conducive environment for talks with the Bangladesh government. He said violence is not a solution.
Reason for the agitation: University students in Dhaka and other cities have been holding rallies for several days against the system of reserving public sector jobs for relatives of war heroes who fought for the country's independence from Pakistan in 1971. The agitation turned violent yesterday, Thursday, due to the government's intransigence.
Sheikh Hasina said, be patient: Amid the ongoing student movement in the country, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that we should be patient till the Supreme Court's decision comes. She has expressed confidence that we will get justice from the Supreme Court.
Tezzbuzz News / Mukund / Sunil Nigam
