Bangladesh: Mass student protests after deadly road accident
Bangladesh shuts down high schools as tens of thousands of students take to streets after two teens were killed by bus.
Tens of thousands of students in Bangladesh have rallied for a fifth consecutive day after two teenagers were killed by a speeding bus.
The demonstrators, mostly students in their mid-teens, chanted "we want justice" on Thursday as they defied pouring rain to march in the capital, Dhaka, bringing traffic to a standstill.
Anger has not subdued since a bus racing for passengers killed Diya Khanam Mim and Abdul Karim Rajib on the roadside on Sunday.
According to local reports, the protests appeared to be spontaneous and disorganised, with the students not appearing to have any spokespersons or leadership.
"We've never seen this unprecedented number of students [in the streets]," said Al Jazeera's Tanvir Chowdhury, reporting from Dhaka, adding that the protesters were supported by their guardians.
Chowdhury said the students are calling for major reforms/
"Overall, there is a general frustration among the public because there is no room for demonstration or free expression," he said.
"Students don't seem to be moving out of the street anytime soon, unless must of their demands are met," he added.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina consoled the parents of the two teens who lost their lives and said she would stand by the families with all possible means, according to press secretary Ihsanul Karim.
"I have no language to console you as I can feel the pain of losing near and dear one ... In one night I lost all members of my family," he quoted her as saying during talks with the family members.
Source: aljazeera
