Protests over an employment quota system have escalated into a larger anti-government movement demanding the prime minister’s resignation.
Renewed Violence in Bangladesh
At least 91 people have been murdered, including 13 police officers, and scores more injured in a new round of violence in Bangladesh, when police shot tear gas and stun grenades to disperse tens of thousands of demonstrators who returned to the streets to demand Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation.
Widespread Clashes Across Districts
Police and physicians recorded deaths on Sunday in the capital Dhaka, the northern districts of Bogura, Pabna, and Rangpur, as well as Magura in the west, Comilla in the east, and Barisal and Feni in the south.
Attack Inside Enayetpur Police Station
According to Additional Deputy Inspector General Vijay Basak of the Bangladesh Police, the attack occurred inside the Enayetpur police station in the northwest city of Sirajganj. The identities of the attackers are unknown.
Escalation from Student Protests
The demonstrators are demanding Hasina’s resignation following previous rallies in July, which began with students seeking an end to a quota system for government jobs and escalated into violence that killed 200 people.
Prime Minister Hasina’s Response
Hasina stated that those indulging in “sabotage” and vandalism in the name of protests were no longer students but criminals and that the people should deal with them harshly.
Government’s Severe Measures
Authorities have restricted internet access and implemented a shoot-on-sight curfew. Approximately 11,000 people have been arrested in recent weeks.
Protests Supported by Opposition
Deaths were reported in at least 11 districts, including Bogura, Magura, Rangpur, and Sirajganj, as protestors supported by the main opposition party Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) clashed with police and activists from the ruling Awami League party and its affiliates.
