Nationwide Bandh in Bangladesh Against Reservation
- By Thetripurapost Desk, Dhaka
- Jul 18, 2024
- 379
Students protesting in Bangladesh demanding reform in the provision of reservation in government jobs have called for a nationwide shutdown on Thursday in response to the action of security forces.
At least six people, including four students, have died in the action of security forces in these demonstrations of students across the country.
Asif Mahmud, a key coordinator of the movement, said in a post on the social media platform 'Facebook' that all establishments except hospitals and emergency services will remain closed on Thursday and only ambulance services will be allowed to operate.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday in an address to the nation expressed deep regret over the killing of people in violence during student protests and said a judicial probe committee will be set up in the matter.
Hasina asked protesters to keep faith in the country's Supreme Court as the issue is pending with it. "I am confident that our students will get justice (in the Supreme Court). They will not be disappointed," she said in an unscheduled nationwide address.
The protests took place in major cities across the country on Tuesday and continued on Wednesday. Hasina's address came a day after six people were killed in the protests.
She announced a judicial probe into the killings and said, "I will provide all possible assistance to the families of those killed in the violence."
The prime minister said, "I clearly declare that action will be taken to ensure that those who commit murder, looting and terrorist activities get appropriate punishment, no matter who they are."
However, Hasina blamed some vested interests for inciting violence and said that the protesting students were not involved in terrorist acts.
She appealed to the students not to give miscreants a chance to take advantage of the situation. Due to the violence, the government late Tuesday night closed all public and private universities as well as schools and colleges in Bangladesh indefinitely and asked residential students to leave the hostels