Over 1000 killed, 400 blinded during student-led protests in Bangladesh: Health Adviser

Dhaka: Bangladesh Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum has said more than 1,000 people were killed and over 400 blinded during the student-led mass uprising.

The adviser spoke about protest casualties while briefing local media after visiting the Central Police Hospital in Rajarbagh.

The Human Rights Support Society said on August 21, it had received information on the deaths of 819 people during the protests from the victims' families, hospitals, witnesses, and national dailies.

According to a primary report of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights published on August 16, as many as 650 people were killed in Bangladesh during the student-led protests between July 16 and August 11.

Adviser Nurjahan said numerous injured policemen were undergoing treatment at the police hospital, many with injuries to the leg and head, but they were recovering well. An injured student coordinator was also receiving treatment at the hospital.

Nurjahan spoke to injured police officers in the hospital's surgery department and enquired about their conditions, according to the Daily Star.

The health adviser also highlighted the government's efforts to provide specialised care for those blinded during the uprising. Many victims lost one or both eyes, she said.