Photo: Bonik Barta A nationwide "Complete Shutdown" gripped Bangladesh on Thursday (July 18), fueled by protests demanding quota reforms. Incidents of clashes and altercations with police were reported from various locations across the country. Violent clashes have resulted in 9 deaths in Dhaka, 1 in Savar and 1 in Madaripur. Additionally, many others have been injured.
Dhaka: In the capital, clashes between police and quota reform protesters in Uttara have resulted in 9 confirmed fatalities so far. 4 have been reported at Kuwait Maitree Hospital in Uttara, 1 each at Uttara Adhunik Medical College, Uttara Crescent Hospital, and Dhanmondi City Hospital. Meanwhile, another fatality was reported in Rampura, confirmed by police and hospital sources on Thursday (July 18).
According to the police, violent confrontations with quota reform protesters in Uttara's Zamzam Intersection led to 4 deaths. The deceased are currently at Kuwait Maitree Hospital. Additionally, in Dhanmondi, Farhan Faiyaz, a student at Dhaka Residential Model College, was fatally injured during the clash. His body is at City Hospital for medical examination.
Dr. Sabbir Ahmed, Principal of Uttara Adhunik Medical College, clarified to Bonik Barta that no one was deceased during treatment on Thursday afternoon. Initially, one student was brought in critical condition and passed away shortly after arrival. We have sent his body to Dhaka Medical College.
He added, "The student was “brought dead” to the hospital. We had not declared him dead due to concerns about possible adverse conditions. His transfer to Dhaka Medical College Hospital was requested by the two people who brought him here. Responding to their plea, the hospital facilitated his transfer. Over a hundred students have received primary medical treatment here, with varying degrees of injuries reported. Although initial record-keeping was challenging, the hospital has documented treating 62 injured individuals. Currently, no injured student is admitted here.”
Meanwhile, orthopedic specialist Mahmudul Hasan at Uttara Crescent Hospital informed journalists that they have treated over 400 injured protesters, one of whom died. The deceased's identity remains unknown.
Violent confrontations between demonstrators and law enforcement in the Jatrabari area have persisted throughout the day. By evening, a rickshaw puller sustained severe injuries and was transported to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead by attending physicians. The identity of the deceased driver remains unknown.
Savar: In Savar, during protests for quota reform, a student was fatally shot and killed. The incident occurred at Savar Bazar bus stand area on Thursday afternoon (July 18). Initially, it is known that the deceased student was studying at MIST. Dr. Anawarul Quader, head of the emergency department at Enam Medical College Hospital in Savar, confirmed the information to Bonik Barta. He said, "One person was brought to our hospital dead. He was taken away within moments. The police station in Savar will be able to tell what happened. Nearly five people were treated at this hospital."
Madaripur: In Madaripur, during the time of the quota reform protests, the fire service recovered the body of a student who went missing after jumping into Shakuni Lake. The body was recovered around 1:30 p.m. on Thursday. Madaripur Additional Police Superintendent (Sadar Circle) Md. Moniruzzaman Fakir confirmed the recovery of the body. The deceased student's name is Dipto Dey (21) of Madaripur Government College's Department of Zoology.
