Protests Ignite: Kolkata Students Rally in Solidarity with Bangladesh

Several Left-aligned student unions and human rights organizations staged a protest near the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata. Demonstrators rallied in solidarity with students protesting the quota system in Bangladesh, facing police barricades, arrests, and scuffles. The protests in Bangladesh represent a significant challenge to the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Several Left-aligned student unions and human rights organizations staged a protest march near the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata on Friday to express solidarity with the ongoing stir in the neighboring country against the quota system.

The activists held placards condemning alleged actions by security forces on student protestors during demonstrations in recent days, and raised slogans in support of the agitators across the border.

Hundreds of activists, including women, gathered near the Academy of Fine Arts and attempted to move towards the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission but were blocked by police near the Exide crossing, where barricades were set up.

A confrontation ensued between the police and protestors, leading to several arrests and detainment at the Kolkata Police Headquarters at Lalbazar.

"The demonstrators included not only students but also members of human rights organizations. Several protestors were arrested and taken to Lalbazar police headquarters," a police officer said.

In Bangladesh, police used bullets and tear gas against protesters and banned gatherings in Dhaka as internet and mobile services were cut off following deadly clashes over government job allocations.

The protests, intensifying since Monday, mark the most significant challenge to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina since her re-election in January amid an opposition boycott.

The latest violence follows the bloodiest day of unrest, with local media reporting 22 deaths as students enforced a "complete shutdown" of the country.

(With inputs from agencies.)