Bangladesh: Protests continue in Dhaka August 4 /update 1

Event

Thousands of students protested for the seventh consecutive day in the capital Dhaka and elsewhere in Bangladesh on Saturday, August 4, to demand safer roads and to protest the July 29 killing of two students by a speeding bus. 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. On Saturday, at least 115 students were reportedly injured in clashes with security forces in Dhaka.

Further protests are expected in the coming days. 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, 400 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. 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.