Bangladesh Detains Student Leaders Amid Protests

In Bangladesh, three student leaders from the group Students Against Discrimination were taken into custody 'for their own safety' following protests against civil service job quotas that escalated into deadly nationwide unrest, resulting in at least 201 deaths. Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan stated the authorities acted on concerns for the leaders' security, claiming they were threatened. The protests, which began peacefully, were met with a severe police crackdown, leading to violent clashes and significant property damage. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina described the unrest as a conspiracy to destabilize the nation and criticized the protests for undermining economic progress. Nahid Islam, the group's head, had previously reported being tortured during an earlier detention, and concerns for his safety have led to calls for accountability. The government’s response has included deploying troops and implementing curfews to restore order.