At least 32 people have been killed in out-of-bound protests in Bangladesh over the Sheikh Hasina government’s quota decision in government jobs.
The tension escalated further on Thursday as protestors set the state TV headquarters on fire, reported news agency AFP.
Many are feared trapped in the BTV building.
An official at the station, speaking to the news agency, said that hundreds of protesters had stormed the premises, setting alight at least 60 vehicles and an office building.
“They first torched a police post at Rampura after police opened fire at them,” he said, referring to a neighbourhood in the capital Dhaka.
“They chased the police officers when they took refuge at the BTV office. Angry protesters then caused mayhem here.”
A post on BTV’s verified Facebook page said the fire was “catastrophic” and “spreading fast”.
“We seek the cooperation of the Fire Service. Many people are trapped inside,” the broadcaster said.
Why are students protesting?
The students in Bangladesh are protesting against quotas in government jobs and rising unemployment rates in the country. Nearly 32 million young people out of work or education in Bangladesh with a population of 170 million. The students have called for striking down of a 30 per cent reservation quota for the families of freedom fighters.
Protesters are calling for the abolition of a system they claim is discriminatory and favors supporters of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League party, the leaders of the independence movement. They advocate replacing it with a merit-based system.
What PM Sheikh Hasina said? The prime minister announced judicial enquiry “to ensure fair and just trial in the recent unwanted incidents including killings.” “On whose instigation the conflict started, who for what purpose pushed the country to an anarchic situation, will be investigated and found out,” she said.
“But it is a matter of regret that some quarters took advantage of the movement to fulfil their unacceptable ambitions through terrorist activities”, she added.
The tension escalated further on Thursday as protestors set the state TV headquarters on fire, reported news agency AFP.
Many are feared trapped in the BTV building.
An official at the station, speaking to the news agency, said that hundreds of protesters had stormed the premises, setting alight at least 60 vehicles and an office building.
“They first torched a police post at Rampura after police opened fire at them,” he said, referring to a neighbourhood in the capital Dhaka.
“They chased the police officers when they took refuge at the BTV office. Angry protesters then caused mayhem here.”
A post on BTV’s verified Facebook page said the fire was “catastrophic” and “spreading fast”.
“We seek the cooperation of the Fire Service. Many people are trapped inside,” the broadcaster said.
Why are students protesting?
The students in Bangladesh are protesting against quotas in government jobs and rising unemployment rates in the country. Nearly 32 million young people out of work or education in Bangladesh with a population of 170 million. The students have called for striking down of a 30 per cent reservation quota for the families of freedom fighters.
Protesters are calling for the abolition of a system they claim is discriminatory and favors supporters of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League party, the leaders of the independence movement. They advocate replacing it with a merit-based system.
What PM Sheikh Hasina said? The prime minister announced judicial enquiry “to ensure fair and just trial in the recent unwanted incidents including killings.” “On whose instigation the conflict started, who for what purpose pushed the country to an anarchic situation, will be investigated and found out,” she said.
“But it is a matter of regret that some quarters took advantage of the movement to fulfil their unacceptable ambitions through terrorist activities”, she added.
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