Bangladesh: Five consecutive days of protests in Dhaka

Event

Tens of thousands of students protested for the fifth consecutive day in the capital Dhaka and elsewhere in Bangladesh on Thursday, August 2, to call for safer roads, justice for the two students killed by a speeding bus on July 29, and the resignation of a government minister accused of insensitive remarks after the incident. Although protests began and remain concentrated in Dhaka (notably the Shahbagh area), demonstrations have since spread to nearby cities, including Gazipur, Narayanganj, Mymensingh, and Chittagong. Demonstrators, claiming the government neglects its duty to enforce safety laws, have blocked roads, and in Dhaka have reportedly been forcing drivers to show licenses in some areas before being allowed to pass. Demonstrations have also turned violent, with police reportedly firing tear gas and blank bullets on protesters who were vandalizing vehicles and blocking traffic on key roadways in the capital. Multiple injuries have been reported.

Although government officials have promised to take protesters' demands into account, further protests are expected in the coming days. Educational institutions have been closed across the country and many bus operators have suspended services while the unrest persists. Heightened security measures and widespread traffic disruptions are anticipated in the coming days.

Context

According to authorities, 300 vehicles have been vandalized since the protests began on July 29, when two students were killed in an accident caused by speeding buses competing for passengers. The drivers, their assistants, and the bus owner involved in the incident have since been arrested.

Bangladesh's transportation sector has been widely criticized as corrupt and unregulated. According to the research group National Committee to Protect Shipping, Roads and Railways, more than 4200 pedestrians were killed in road accidents in 2017, a 25 percent increase from 2016.

Advice

Individuals in Bangladesh, especially in Dhaka, are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all protests and large public gatherings as a precaution, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities. Travelers are advised to anticipate significant transportation disruptions in the coming days, to plan for alternative routes avoiding demonstrations, and to never attempt to cross a roadblock without authorization.