Bangladesh Protest: Students bring Dhaka to standstill

Mayhem since last week, caused by massive protests by the students in Dhaka, has paralysed Bangladesh. Security personnel using batons and water cannons has further deteriorated the condition. The students are demanding improved road safety, after two students were reportedly killed by a speeding bus in Dhaka on July 29.

The protest kicked off after a privately-operated bus ran over a group of students, killing two and injuring several others last week, reports CNN.

The students dressed in uniform have paused the city’s traffic and are allowing only the emergency service vehicles to pass. To take control of the demonstrations, police beat protesters with batons and shut down mobile internet connections as the unrest has spread beyond the capital.

Though there is unrest in the city, this is for the first time that even the congestion in Dhaka has decreased and drivers are carrying their driving licences. WHO reports that more than 3,000 deaths take place each year in Bangladesh due to traffic mishaps. Demanding authorities to functions and come up with effective management system to deal with rampant traffic violators, students have blocked roads.

However, violent clashes have been reported from Dhaka University, which has spread to North South University. The students alleged that political goons got involved in the protests and due to their nuisance police had to use water cannons and tear gas. When they (police) couldn’t deter the protesters any further, they used batons on students and this injured 100 students, alleged one protester.

In the untoward incident on Saturday, a vehicle carrying US Ambassador Marcia Bernicat was attacked by ‘armed men’, but she was unhurt. Soon, the attack was condemned and United States shared its concern too.

Alleging that the opposition trying to reap political benefit from the student’s protest, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said this is all being done to whip up public anger against the government ahead of a general election due in December, adds CNN. However, opposition leader and former prime minister Khaleda Zia has denied involvement.