Death Toll Rises Amid Protests for Job Quota Reform

The death toll from recent clashes over demands for job quota reforms in Bangladesh has climbed to 202 following the death of a man who succumbed to bullet injuries early Thursday though the unofficial death count 900+. Zakir Hossain, 29, was shot while caught in violence in Dhaka’s Rayerbagh area and later died at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Zakir, who worked at a tailor’s shop, was returning home after Friday prayers when he was hit by a bullet during confrontations between protesters and police. His death underscores the severe unrest that has gripped the nation since the protests began on July 1.

Meanwhile, the government's crackdown on protesters has led to the arrest of nearly 4,500 people over the past week, including 1,400 in the latest sweep and hundreds are missing. Law enforcement agencies have targeted members of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, among others, in response to the escalating violence and vandalism associated with the student-led movement.

In capital Dhaka alone, 641 individuals were detained, bringing the total arrests in the capital to 1,758. The police and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) have been conducting extensive operations to quell the unrest, which has seen widespread incidents of arson and clashes across the country.

The protests intensified following violent outbreaks at Dhaka University on July 15, leading to nationwide turmoil. Numerous arrests and lawsuits have been filed in connection with the disturbances, and police operations continue in various districts, including Narayanganj, Gazipur, and Chattogram, where hundreds have been detained.

Despite the heavy-handed response from authorities, the call for job quota reforms persists, with students and job seekers demanding changes to the current system. The situation remains tense, with further protests and potential clashes anticipated.