At least 17 people have died as student protests over civil service hiring quotas turned violent across Bangladesh on Thursday. Thousands of students, armed with sticks and rocks, clashed with police in Dhaka and other cities, leading to significant unrest and widespread disruption.

The protests, which have been escalating for weeks, are in response to a quota system for government jobs that students argue is discriminatory. The current system reserves a third of government jobs for family members of veterans who fought for the country’s independence from Pakistan in 1971. Students, frustrated by high youth unemployment rates and what they see as an unfair hiring process, are demanding a merit-based system.

Clashes and Casualties

The violence has been most intense in Dhaka, where at least 11 people were killed, including a bus driver and a student. Police sources reported that hundreds of others were injured during the clashes. In Narayanganj, two people were killed, and in Chittagong, another two deaths were reported.

Police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the protesters, who retaliated by torching vehicles and attacking police posts. The unrest led to mobile internet services being suspended across much of the country to prevent the spread of “various rumours” and stabilize the situation, according to Zunaid Ahmed Palak, the junior information technology minister.

Government Response

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina addressed the nation on Wednesday, promising a judicial panel to investigate the deaths and assuring that those responsible would be brought to justice. Despite these assurances, the protests have continued to escalate. Hasina urged students to remain patient until the Supreme Court rules on the government’s appeal against the reinstatement of the quotas next month.

International Reaction

The United States embassy in Dhaka and the Indian embassy issued advisories to their citizens, urging them to avoid demonstrations and large gatherings. International human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, along with the United Nations, have called on the Bangladeshi government to ensure the protection of peaceful protesters.

Future Discussions

Law Minister Anisul Huq has expressed the government’s willingness to engage in discussions with the protesters, emphasizing that the government is open to dialogue. However, the immediate future remains uncertain as tensions continue to rise and the nation grapples with the fallout from the violent clashes.

The situation in Bangladesh remains volatile, with the potential for further unrest as students continue to demand a fairer hiring process and justice for those affected by the violence. 

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