Violent Protests Leave 29 Dead, Thousands Injured as Clashes Escalate Across Bangladesh.
On July 18, 2024, a surge of violence broke out across Bangladesh as at least 29 people, including 11 students and a journalist, were killed and over 3,000 injured in fierce clashes between quota reform protesters and security forces, with ruling party activists joining the crackdown. The victims include students from cities like Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet, and others, and the death toll is expected to rise as many victims remain unidentified.
The violence, which began the previous night, persisted throughout the day in Dhaka and other cities. It led to attacks on government buildings, including the state-run BTV Bhaban in Dhaka’s Rampura, which was set ablaze. Despite the rising casualties, the government extended an invitation for dialogue in the afternoon, but the protesters, led by activist Nahid Islam, rejected it. “No dialogue will happen over the blood of the martyrs. It’s the government’s responsibility to find a solution,” Nahid posted on social media shortly before internet services were shut down.
This protest represents one of the deadliest student-led movements in recent memory, with parts of Dhaka shrouded in smoke from fires ignited in the clashes. Roads and rail links in Dhaka were disrupted as protesters enforced a “complete shutdown” of transport, businesses, and offices, demanding reforms to the quota system.
Hospitals, particularly in areas like Uttara, struggled to treat the injured as the numbers surged. Doctors treated victims on the streets as facilities quickly filled up. Several protesters suffered shotgun pellet injuries, with many reported fatalities from close-range shots.
The day saw clashes across Dhaka’s neighborhoods, including Uttara, Jatrabari, Badda, and Dhanmondi, with witnesses describing the scenes as chaotic. Law enforcement agencies, joined by ruling party activists armed with rods and sticks, attempted to disperse the protesters. Security forces used shotguns, tear gas, and sound grenades, while protesters retaliated with brick chunks. Parts of Dhaka were cordoned off, with some areas looking like warzones as authorities struggled to regain control.
The protest escalated further on Tuesday after six people died in earlier clashes, including students targeted by attacks from party-affiliated groups on university campuses. As a result, the government has since ordered the closure of all educational institutions and deployed riot police and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel.
In one of the day’s most intense scenes, nine people were killed and hundreds injured during confrontations in Uttara. Similar scenes played out in Jatrabari, where police used tear gas, water cannons, and rubber bullets to disperse the crowds. In Dhanmondi, protesters were pursued by security forces and ruling party members, who attempted to block roads and disrupt the gatherings.
With tensions high, the situation in Bangladesh remains volatile. The government has issued a stern warning, stating that law enforcement will use “the full force of the law” if the violence continues. Meanwhile, protesters remain resolute, calling for “justice for the fallen” and promising to continue their movement until their demands for quota reforms and safer campuses are met.
