In Bangladesh, at least four people have died and hundreds of others injured in clashes between quota reform protesters and the police during a nationwide shutdown today. The protesters called for a complete shutdown across the country to press their demands, blocking major national highways, disrupting Dhaka’s rail connections with the rest of the country, and halting metro rail operations in Dhaka. On the other hand, Bangladesh’s Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq stated that the government agrees in principle on quota reform and is ready to hold talks with the protesters.

To maintain law and order, the government has deployed 229 platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh in addition to various police agencies nationwide. In view of the ongoing situation, the Indian High Commission in Dhaka today issued an advisory for the Indian nationals residing in Bangladesh to avoid local travel and minimize their movement outside their residences. 

Meanwhile, the United Nations has urged the Bangladesh government to ensure the safety of students protesting for quota reforms in government jobs against any threats or violence.