Bangladesh Protests: Tear Gas and Rubber Bullets as Students Demand Job Quota Reforms

Bangladesh police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse students protesting the government's job quota system. Tensions escalated after violent clashes left six dead. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced a judicial committee to investigate. Students, angry at high unemployment rates and unsatisfactory quotas, demand reforms.

Police in Bangladesh fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse students protesting against the government's job quota system on Wednesday. This follows violent clashes that left six people dead and numerous individuals injured. In response to the escalating protests, authorities have indefinitely closed all public and private universities as of Wednesday. The unrest centers around public sector job quotas, including a 30% reservation for family members of fighters from the 1971 War of Independence from Pakistan.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stated the government will establish a judicial committee to investigate the killings. Wednesday's violence ignited after security forces were deployed near Dhaka University as students chanted slogans like: 'We will not let our brothers' blood go in vain.' Nahid Islam, a protest coordinator, reported that police used teargas, rubber bullets, and sound grenades against the students as they marched with symbolic coffins in solidarity with the deceased.

The quotas have provoked outrage among students facing high rates of youth unemployment, with 32 million young Bangladeshis out of work or education. The protests intensified when Prime Minister Hasina refused to accede to the protesters' demands. The situation grew more violent after thousands of anti-quota demonstrators clashed with members of the ruling Awami League's student wing across the country, resulting in six fatalities, including at least three students. Hasina, in an address to the nation, expressed her belief that the students would receive justice and announced a judicial investigation. She assured the families of her complete support.

(With inputs from agencies.)