Dhaka, Aug 2 (EFE).- Fresh violence erupted in Bangladesh on Friday, leaving one person dead and dozens injured, after days of relative calm following deadly student protests last week over a controversial job quota.
Protesters returned to the streets, demanding the release of those detained and justice for those allegedly killed by police in July.
Hospital superintendent Mohammed Aminul Hoque Sarker said a 26-year-old electrician died from a bullet injury at their health center in eastern Habiganj district on Friday evening.
“Several injured people also came to our hospital, but I cannot give any numbers at the moment,” he said.
Zafar Imam, the officer in-charge of Osamani Medical College Hospital police outpost in Sylhet, said four injured people were admitted after a clash in the city. He confirmed that other injured were treated in private hospitals but could not provide specific numbers.
Goutam Kumar Paul, Director of Khulna Medical College Hospital, said they admitted eight injured people after a clash in the city.
A cross-section of people, including students, parents, journalists, and cultural activists, protested in various parts of the country, including the capital, Dhaka, seeking justice for the recent killings.
Some mobile phone users reported being unable to access Facebook or Telegram from Friday afternoon amid widespread protests.
Junior Minister for Information and Communication, Zunaid Ahmed Palak, told EFE that no order had been issued to restrict any social media applications or mobile internet.
Hospital, police, fire service, and family sources confirmed to EFE that at least 194 people died during clashes between July 16 and 21 and their aftermath.
The Student Movement Against Discrimination claimed that 266 people were killed during the protests, while the government reported a death toll of 150.
The government launched a crackdown on protesting students and opposition political parties, arresting over 9,000 people in a special drive over the past week, according to police and rights groups.
The protests began in early July after the High Court ordered the government to restore a 30 percent employment quota for descendants of freedom fighters from Bangladesh’s 1971 liberation war.
Protesters argued that the quota system was discriminatory and benefited supporters of the ruling Awami League, while the government defended it as a way to honor veterans of the independence war.
The protests escalated on July 15, with the first deaths reported the following day. A curfew was imposed at midnight on July 19, and the army was called in to control the situation. EFE
am/ssk