As violence continues in Bangladesh, the death toll has risen to 115.
After winning the war against Pakistan in 1971, Bangladesh became a separate country. 30 percent reservation in government jobs was given to heirs of soldiers who sacrificed their lives in this war.
The reservation system was put on hold following the student protests in 2018. In this situation, the government of the country recently announced that it is going to re-enforce the 30 percent reservation. Students protested against this. The student organization of the ruling Awami League party attacked the students who were fighting against the government.
Also, there were clashes between the protesting students and the police. Due to this, the students’ protest turned violent across the country. The situation worsened after protesters set fire to the state’s government television station.
Similarly, around 800 inmates escaped after protesters set fire to a prison in the town of Narsingdi, north of the capital Dhaka. Following this, a strict curfew has been imposed across the country and cell phone internet services have been suspended. And orders have been issued to shoot rioters on sight. Schools, colleges and universities are closed indefinitely. Army has been deployed to deal with the situation.
However, there are reports of sporadic incidents of violence. The country’s media reported that 115 people have been killed so far in the ongoing violence since the 16th. Thousands more were reportedly injured.
Meanwhile, due to the extraordinary situation prevailing in Bangladesh, Indian students studying there are constantly returning home. According to the Union Ministry of External Affairs, about 1,000 Indian students have returned home safely.
