At least nine people were killed and many others injured as protests flared up across the country with demonstrators enforcing a nationwide “complete shutdown” on Thursday, demanding quota reformation in public services.

Students, police, and ruling party men locked into clashes in Dhaka and elsewhere, bringing the country to a complete standstill, reports The Daily Sun. 

At least four people, including students, were killed as demonstrators and members of the police, and and Rapid Action Battalion engaged in a clash in the Uttara-Azampur area.

Kuwait Bangladesh Friendship Govt Hospital Superintendent Dr Md Mizanur Rahman said more than 50 injured were brought to the hospital where four were declared dead.

Police members were also among the injured, he added.

Witnesses said demonstrators from different private universities, colleges and schools gathered in front of the Zamzam Tower at Uttara in the morning.

The clash erupted after 11am when the law enforcers resisted the demonstrators as they attempted to take position on the main road.

Aftabnagar

A student was killed in another clash with the police in the Aftabnagar area this afternoon.

The deceased is Sharif Hasan, a student of Dhaka Imperial College.

Zillur Rahman, father of the victim, confirmed the news of the death.

Badda-Rampura

A man was killed in a clash between the police and the demonstrators in the Badda-Rampura area.

The deceased was identified as Dulal Matbar, a driver by profession.

During the clash, he was crossing the area driving a microbus.

Critically injured Dulal was taken to Farazy Hospital where the on-duty physician declared him dead, confirmed Rubel Hossain, deputy general manager of the hospital.

Narsinghdi

A class nine student was killed and over a hundred others were injured when police allegedly opened fire on protesters at the Jailkhana intersection in Narsingdi on Thursday afternoon.

The deceased student Tahmid was a student at Nasima Kadir Mollah High School and Homes (NKM) in Narsingdi. He was the son son Dr Rafiqul Islam of Chinishpur village of Narsingdi Sadar Upazila

Bd pratidn English/Lutful Hoque