Sri Lanka’s State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya has announced that the Bangladesh High Commission in India is closely monitoring the safety of Sri Lankan students in Bangladesh amid escalating violent protests. The unrest has also impacted Indian students, with around 300 already having returned home. The protests erupted following a controversial announcement regarding reservations in government jobs, leading to nationwide turmoil.
Violent Protests and Curfew in Bangladesh
The violent protests, primarily centered in Dhaka, have resulted in a nationwide curfew after clashes left approximately 104 dead and nearly 2,500 seriously injured. The violence peaked when police fired upon protesters, causing over half of the reported fatalities. Demonstrations have spread beyond the capital, with incidents reported in 26 districts across Bangladesh.
International Concerns and Government Response
UN human rights chief Volker Turk condemned the attacks on student protesters as “shocking and unacceptable.” The protests have been driven by demands to end a quota system that reserves over half of civil service jobs for specific groups, a policy critics argue unfairly benefits pro-government factions.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government, facing accusations of suppressing dissent and entrenching power through extrajudicial means, ordered the indefinite closure of schools and universities to control the situation. Despite a police ban on public gatherings, the student protests have persisted, indicating widespread discontent with the current administration’s policies.
Regional Impact and Precautions
The impact of the protests has reached neighboring countries, prompting around 300 Indian students to return home from Bangladesh. As the situation remains volatile, the Sri Lankan government has taken measures to ensure the safety of its students in the region. This underscores the widespread regional concern over the ongoing crisis.
Conclusion
The violent protests in Bangladesh highlight deep-seated issues within the country’s governance and have broader regional implications. With international condemnation and a strong domestic outcry, the resolution of this conflict will be closely watched by the global community.
Tags: #BangladeshProtests #SriLankanStudents #IndianStudents #StudentSafety #BangladeshCurfew #DhakaRiots #HumanRights #SheikhHasina
