Bangladesh protests: Govt calls for day of mourning for victims of unrest

The Bangladesh government on Tuesday (July 30) called for a day of mourning for those killed in the nationwide unrest. Student protests againstcivil service job quotas sparked days of violence that killed at least 206 people, including several police officers, as per data from the news agency AFP.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's governmentsaid the violence, destruction of government buildings and "terrorist activities" at the height of the unrest would be solemnly marked on Tuesday with prayers in mosques around the country.

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Student group denounces govt's gesture

Students Against Discrimination, the group that organised the initial protests, said the government's announcement was intended to deflect blame for the death toll from police.

In a statement, Students Against Discrimination member Mahin Sarker said, "Instead of ensuring justice for the mass murders committed by the state forces, students have been cruelly mocked."

On Monday, the student group called for new nationwide protestsafter the government ignoredan ultimatum to release their leaders and apologise for those killed in theagitation.

The protests were some of the worst of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's 15-year tenure. Her government has largelyrestored order with mass arrests, troop deployments and a nationwide internet shutdown that was rescinded on Sunday.

Over 10,000 arrested

Citing local media, AFP reported that more than 10,000 people have been arrested since the protests broke out. Recently, Amnesty International said that the mass arrest and arbitrary detention of student protesterswas a witch hunt by the authorities to silence anyone who dares to challenge the government.

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Protests had remained largely peaceful until attacks on demonstrators by police and pro-government student groups.

Hasina's government has accused opposition parties, including the Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami, of hijacking the protests to cause unrest. On Tuesday, the government announced that it would banJamaat-e-Islaami and its student wing following the violence.

(With inputs from agencies)