Update 2024-07-17 (2): Several people were injured on Wednesday evening (17 July, local time) following a clash between quota reform protesters and security officials in the Shanir Akhra area of Dhaka. Clashes were also reported after security forces attempted to disperse the protesters who were blocking the Dhaka-Chattogram highway.
Update 2024-07-17 (1): According to reports, protesters blocked the Dhaka-Chattogram highway in the Shanir Akhra neighbourhood of Dhaka on Wednesday afternoon (17 July, local time) and caused significant traffic disruptions. Protesters also blocked traffic on the eastern roundabout of the Bangabandhu Bridge in Tangail, affecting traffic along the Dhaka-Tangail-Bangabandhu Bridge road. Protesters have stated that they will not leave the area near the Bangabandhu Bridge until the government agrees to their demands. Clashes were reported between protesters and security forces in the Paltan neighbourhood of Dhaka on Wednesday afternoon (17 July, local time). Protesters threw bricks at security forces who fired rubber bullets in response. Organisers of the protests have called for a “complete shutdown” on Thursday (18 July). The protesters plan to ensure that no businesses or other establishments operate on Thursday (18 July) except for hospitals and emergency services and that no vehicles except ambulances are allowed on the roads. Protests are to be expected countrywide.