Violence erupted in Dhaka as thousands of students clashed with armed police, resulting in the deaths of thirteen people. This marked the deadliest day in protests against government job quotas in Bangladesh. The unrest, which has claimed at least 19 lives this week, led authorities to restrict mobile internet services in an attempt to calm the situation.
The casualties included a bus driver, a rickshaw-puller, and three students. Police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the protesters, who set vehicles and police posts on fire. The demonstrations, fueled by high youth unemployment, demand an end to reserving 30% of government jobs for the families of 1971 war veterans.
Although the quota system was abolished in 2018, a court reinstated it last month, prompting the ongoing protests. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for restraint and urged authorities to investigate the violence. The Supreme Court suspended the reinstatement pending further hearings on August 7.