In response to the unrest sparked by ongoing protests demanding reforms to the quota system in government jobs, mobile internet services have been temporarily shut down, State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology, Zunaid Ahmed Palak said today (July 18, 2024). During a press briefing at the ICT Tower in Dhaka’s Agargaon, Palak addressed the media, saying, “Mobile internet services have been temporarily halted due to the unstable situation created centering the protests. Once the situation stabilizes, we will restore connectivity promptly.” ‘Complete Shutdown’: Protestors, police clash in Dhaka’s Uttara; police box and 2 buses vandalized The state minister explained that the suspension was necessary to curb the spread of rumors and maintain stability amid the protests. “Various groups with vested interest have been spreading false information on social media, contributing to the instability. Hence, the decision to shut down mobile internet services was made without prior notice, based on the evolving situation,” he added. Palak also highlighted the government’s communication with major social media platforms like Facebook, Google, YouTube, and TikTok. He expressed dissatisfaction with their privacy policies concerning the removal of controversial content. “We have contacted these companies, but their privacy policies regarding content removal are not satisfactory. If their actions lead to any casualties, they will not be exempt from accountability. These companies must establish data centers in Bangladesh and operate in compliance with local laws,” he said. Read more: Shutdown cripples capital city amid clashes between police and protesters

As part of the announced countrywide ‘Complete Shutdown’ from dawn to dusk today (July 18, 2024), students demanding quota system reform from several colleges and universities took to the streets in Dhaka’s Uttara. Their protest turned violent when police intervened to disperse them, leading to clashes. To bring the situation under control, police lobbed tear gas multiple times. Protesters then vandalized a police box and two buses. The clash occurred in front of Zamzam Tower in Uttara. Read more: Situation tense at Badda after students-police clash According to witnesses, the protestors gathered at the same location as on previous days. Upon receiving news of the gathering, police rushed to the scene and began firing tear gas shells to clear the street, which sparked the confrontation. At one point, protesters retaliated by hurling brickbats at the police, leading to repeated chase and counter-chase. During the clash, demonstrators vandalized a traffic police box near Zamzam Tower and damaged two buses. Sub-nspector (SI) Ripon, duty officer at Uttara Purbo Paschim Police Station, said that the clashes were going on and the extent of the damages was yet to be determined. Police officers are actively working at the scene. Read more: Shutdown cripples capital city amid clashes between police and protesters

Firing teargas and rubber bullets riot police clashed with quota-reform protesters in different parts of the capital city in the first hours of Thursday (July 18, 2024) at the start of a nationwide complete shutdown. Riot police fought pitched battles with the protesters in Badda, Merul, Uttara, Dhamandi, Motijheel and Arambagh. Police used teargas shells and rubber bullets. Cocktails --home-made bombs-- rocked different parts of the city. The clashes also spread in the alleys of the residential areas causing panic among residents, eyewitnesses said. Private BRAC university at Badda and its surrounding areas turned into battle fields as students, including from schools took to the streets defying heavy presence of police and Border Guards of Bangladesh personnel. The government has deployed 229 BGB platoons to maintain law and order during the shutdown. No casualties have so far been reported during the first few hours of violence on Thursday. But an 18-year-old boy was reportedly killed in clashes at Jatrabari on Wednesday night raising the death toll from ongoing quota protests to seven. Read more: Violent clashes continue in Dhaka’s Jatrabari, Shanir Akhra areas during shutdown Hundreds have been injured in the first few days of clashes. Clashes between protesters, many carrying sticks, and riot police occurred at Uttara, where dozens of colleges and schools are located. At Uttara's Housebuilding area thousands of students, including women, blocked the main road connecting Tongi with the capital city. Carrying sticks the students have gathered from all educational institutions in the surrounding areas. No transport except rickshaws are seen here. After chases and counter-chases seen in the morning amid teargassing riot police seemed to have retreated down the road at Azampur. Read more: ‘Complete Shutdown’: Protestors, police clash in Dhaka’s Uttara; police box and 2 buses vandalized "We are not going anywhere until our demands are met," said a 16-year-old girl who has joined from a nearby English-medium school. UNB is withholding both the name of the girl and her school for their safety. During the shutdown the capital city's usual chaotic traffic was absent with a few BRTC double-decker buses opening on almost empty streets. Rickshaws ruled the streets in absence of public transports as commuters were seen walking to the destinations or standing on bus stations in the hope of catching a transport. The students called for the shutdown, shortly after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in a televised speech on Wednesday evening called for restraint and urged the protesters to wait patiently until the Supreme Court verdict is delivered on the quota issue. She assured the students that they won't be disappointed with the upcoming verdict scheduled for the first week of next month. She also ordered a judicial enquiry into the killings during the protests to identify the culprits. Read more: Situation tense at Badda after students-police clash