RAB helicopters shot at student protesters in Dhaka, killing several students, witnesses say.

As the student protests started to spread across the country, the government shut down the internet, isolating Bangladesh from the rest of the world to hide the killing spree, according to them.

In addition, the law enforcement agencies used specialised vehicles with UN logos and lethal weapons against the people. 

As the internet services were restored on Tuesday after the five-day blackout, The Mirror Asia spoke to the several residents of Dhaka. RAB members opened fire from helicopters on the student protesters in Jatrabari, Mirpur No. 10 and 13, Mohammadpur and Dhanmondi No. 27 roads in Dhaka, according to the locals.

“Bullets were fired from a helicopter, killing several students instantly,” said a coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement who participated in the protest at Science Lab in Dhaka.

However, RAB has denied firing from the helicopter. “RAB did not fire from helicopters to curb the protests. This is a propaganda,” said RAB Director General Harun Ar Rashid at a news conference on Tuesday.

However, he admitted that sound grenades and tear gas shells were hurled from the helicopter.

The student protest started in Dhaka from July 17 demanding the quota reforms. The government's harsh crackdown on students has led to the loss of hundreds of lives and injured thousands.  At least 196 people were killed by police, RAB and Army fire, according to Agence France Presse (AFP).