Scores dead as Bangladeshi authorities intensify crackdown on protests

At least nine people were killed in Dhaka throughout the day on July 19th (Friday), according to hospital authorities, as the Bangladeshi government intensified their brutal crackdown on protesting students. This brings the death toll to at least 48, with thousands of estimated injuries reported in prior days.

Netra News reporters and contributors in Dhaka witnessed indiscriminate shootings at protesters by members of the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BSL), the student wing of the ruling party. In one incident in the Mirpur neighbourhood, unidentified individuals on motorcycles fired guns at civilians. In Dhanmondi, police firing left at least one staffer of the Labaid Hospital dead and six more injured.

Protesters claimed that at least 50 people were killed in attacks by police and the student wing on the night of July 18-19, although Netra News could not verify this number. Authorities at Dhaka Medical College Hospital’s morgue told Netra News that they received 17 bodies overnight, not including possible fatalities at other hospitals. A morgue employee told us that the bodies arrived between the night of July 18-19 and early morning.

Meanwhile, students protesting for reforms in government job quotas have vowed to continue their movement. Nahid Islam, a key coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, told Netra News on July 19th that they will not engage in any discussions with the government until their primary demands are met. He stated that, similar to the previous day, a complete shutdown would continue. The protesters’ primary demands include disarming the police and student wing members; withdrawing all law enforcement agencies from the streets; reopening educational institutions; and restoring internet services nationwide.

From 10 a.m. on July 19th, protesters occupied various locations in Dhaka. To disperse them, a large number of police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), ruling party activists, and other forces were deployed on the streets. Clashes and chases between protesters and the police ensued, with several people injured when rubber bullets were fired to break up the protests. Netra News reporters confirmed from various parts of Dhaka that despite the rising number of injuries, protesters in Mohammadpur, Gulshan, Badda-Rampura, and Uttara remained steadfast.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s main opposition party, BNP, has expressed solidarity and support for the student movement, calling it “spontaneous and justified.” In an interview with Netra News, BNP spokesperson AKM Wahiduzzaman accused the ruling Awami League government of trying to politicise what he called rightful demands.

Additionally, BNP’s Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed was arrested by the police from Dhaka Press Club.●