DHAKA: The Bangl­adeshi student group leading demonstrations that have spiralled into deadly violence suspended protests on Monday for 48 hours, with its leader saying they had not wanted reform “at the expense of so much blood”.

What began as demonstrations against politicised admission quotas for sought-after government jobs snowballed into some of the worst unrest of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s tenure, though the Supreme Court on Sunday pared back the number of reserved jobs for specific groups.

A curfew has been imposed and soldiers are patrolling cities, while a nationwide internet blackout since Thursday has drastically restricted the flow of information to the outside world.

“We are suspending the shutdown protests for 48 hours,” Nahid Islam, the top leader of the main pro­t­­est organiser Students Aga­­inst Discrimination, told AFP from his hospital bed. He was being treated for his injuries after being beaten by people he accused of being undercover police.

At least 163 people have died in clashes, including several police officers, according to a count of victims reported by police and hospitals. Sporadic violence continued on Monday, with four people brought to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital with bullet injuries.

Meanwhile, diplomatic officials said ambassadors in Dhaka questioned authorities’ deadly response to the protests.

While Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud summoned ambassadors for a briefing on Sunday and showed them a 15-minute video that sources said focused on damage caused by protesters, a senior diplomatic official in Dhaka, requesting anonymity told AFP that US ambassador Peter Haas said Mahmud was “presenting a one-sided version of events”.

“I am surprised you did not show the footage of police firing at unarmed protesters,” the source quoted Haas as telling the minister.

Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2024