Tripura: BSF on “alert” amid widespread violence in Bangladesh

Agartala (Tripura) [India], July 21 (ANI): Amid protests that resulted in the deaths of over 100 fatalities over contentious civil service hiring rules in Bangladesh, BSF Inspector-General of Police, Piyush Patel Purushottam Das said on Sunday that whenever there is a law and order situation in neighboring country, it affects us also, adding that the teams are on alert and ready to deal with any kind of situation.

“There is a law and order situation in Bangladesh. Whenever there is a law and order situation in a neighboring country, it also affects us. We are on alert. We have increased our operational preparedness. All our commanding officers are at the border and supervising the situation. Technology and manpower resources have also been increased at the border. We will deal with any kind of situation that would arise,” he said.

Bangladesh Supreme Court ruled to slash the quota reserved for relatives of war veterans’ from 30 per cent to 5 per cent while allowing 93 per cent to be allocated based on merit and the remaining 2 per cent will be earmarked for members of ethnic minorities, transgender individuals, and the disabled, Al Jazeera reported, citing, local reports.

The unrest was sparked by students who have long demanded an overhaul of the quota system, which originally reserved 30 per cent of government jobs for descendants of veterans who fought in Bangladesh’s war of independence in 1971. Critics argued that this system favored allies of the ruling Awami League party, which spearheaded the liberation movement against Pakistan.

In response to the escalating protests, the Supreme Court ruled to slash the quota reserved for veterans’ descendants from 30 per cent to 5 per cent. The majority of government jobs, 93 per cent, will now be allocated based on merit, while the remaining 2 per cent will be earmarked for members of ethnic minorities, transgender individuals, and the disabled.

The verdict, delivered on Sunday, comes after weeks of demonstrations led predominantly by students. Tensions reached a peak when clashes erupted between protesters and groups allegedly linked to the Awami League, resulting in accusations of excessive force by the police against demonstrators, as reported by Al Jazeera.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government had previously attempted to abolish the quota system in 2018, but the High Court reinstated it last month, reigniting public outrage and prompting renewed protests.