Bangladesh closes educational institutions after student deaths in protests

• Bangladesh indefinitely closed all educational institutions following deadly clashes between students and police.
• The clashes resulted in the deaths of at least six people, including four students, and injuries to 400 others.
• Despite attempts by Arab News, requests for comment from Bangladesh Police went unanswered.

On Wednesday, Bangladesh indefinitely closed all educational institutions following deadly clashes between students and police, as campus protests against job quotas spread across the country. Since early July, students have been demonstrating at campuses against the government’s quota system, which reserves 30 percent of public service jobs for the families of those who fought in Bangladesh’s 1971 liberation war.

The students are demanding reform of the system and a more equitable distribution of well-paid public service jobs. The protests escalated into violence on Sunday after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina undermined the cause by suggesting that the demonstrators supported the “razakars,” who had collaborated with the Pakistani military—an enemy occupying force—during the 1971 war.

As the comparison was denounced by students, more of them joined the rallies, where they clashed with members of the youth wing of Hasina’s ruling Awami League party and security forces.

With violence escalating and turning deadly on Tuesday, the Ministry of Education and the University Grants Commission of Bangladesh issued separate notifications announcing the indefinite closure of all secondary educational institutions, universities, and medical colleges across the country "until further notice" and "for the safety of the students."

According to local media reports, clashes in Dhaka, Chottogram, Rajshahi, and Rangpur resulted in the deaths of at least six people, including four students, and injuries to 400 others. Protesters estimate that the actual numbers are even higher.

“More than 1,000 of our protesters were injured during the clashes. Seven died, including one bystander. Just now, we held funeral prayers in absentia for our fellows who lost their lives,” said Mohammad Nahid Islam, coordinator of the Students Against Discrimination group, which is part of the protests in Dhaka.

“Today, police attacked protesting students at the Dhaka University campus with a stun grenade and tear gas shells. Many of our female students became sick and injured ... We are concerned about our security.”

Despite repeated attempts by Arab News, requests for comment from Bangladesh Police went unanswered.

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