Bangladesh Police Death Toll Rises Amid Quota Reform Protests

At least 44 policemen were killed in Bangladesh during massive quota reform protests leading to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation and flight to India. The violence, spurred by student discontent over a controversial quota system in government jobs, has caused over 600 deaths since mid-July.

At least 44 policemen have lost their lives in the violence that rocked Bangladesh during the quota reform protests, which ultimately led to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's ouster, police confirmed on Sunday.

Sheikh Hasina, 76, resigned and fled to India on August 5, following massive student-led protests against a controversial quota system in government jobs. According to the media wing of the police headquarters, these deaths occurred between July 20 and August 14, as reported by Bengali-language newspaper Prothom Alo.

On August 5 alone, 25 police personnel were killed, marking the day with the highest number of policemen fatalities amid the clashes. The day before, 15 police officers had died on August 4. The total death toll from the police force included 21 constables, 11 sub-inspectors, 8 assistant sub-inspectors, 3 inspectors, and 1 Naik. Over 230 people were killed after the fall of the Hasina-led government, pushing the overall death toll to more than 600 since the protests began.

An interim government has been established with 84-year-old Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus appointed as its Chief Adviser.

(With inputs from agencies.)