At least 76 people have been killed during violent clashes between Bangladeshi police and anti-government protesters. Sri Lanka Latest News
The unrest has erupted after a group of student leaders announced a civil disobedience campaign demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Police said 13 police officers were killed in an attack by thousands of people on a police station in Seerajganj district.
Although the student protest started last month demanding the abolition of the quota system for civil service jobs, it has now become a widespread anti-government movement.
Police and supporters of the ruling party could be seen firing live ammunition at anti-government protesters. Police also used tear gas and rubber bullets.
The total number of deaths since the beginning of the protest movement in July has exceeded 270.
Curfew has been enforced across the country from 6:00 pm.
Law and Justice Minister Anisul Haque told the BBC’s News Hour program on Sunday that the authorities were acting with “restraint”.
“If we had not acted with restraint, there would have been a pool of blood here. I think there is a limit to our patience,” he said.
In the capital Dhaka, access to the internet through mobile devices has been suspended.
Without 4G and 3G people cannot communicate using internet on their mobile devices. No word on when internet services will be restored.
Deaths and injuries have been reported from areas across the country, including the Northern Province districts of Bogra, Pabna and Rangpur.
Thousands of people gathered in a main square in Dhaka and violent incidents broke out in other parts of the city.ty.
“The whole city has become a war zone,” a police officer, who asked not to be named, told the AFP news agency. He said thousands of protesters set fire to cars and motorcycles parked outside a hospital.
Students Against Discrimination, a group engaged in anti-government protests, said it would launch a nationwide campaign to disobey government orders from Sunday.
They ask people not to pay taxes or utility bills.
The students have also informed to close all factories and public transport services.
It is reported that around 10,000 people have been detained in a major crackdown by security forces over the past two weeks. Opposition supporters and students are among those arrested.
It seems that the next few days will be crucial for both sides.
The protests pose a formidable challenge to Hasina, who was re-elected for a fourth consecutive term in January elections boycotted by the main opposition.
Protesters converge in the streets
Students took to the streets last month over the allocation of a large chunk of civil service jobs to relatives of heroes of Bangladesh’s 1971 war of independence with Pakistan.
Even though the government has now reduced a large portion of the quota following a government decision, the students continued to protest demanding justice for those killed and injured in the protests. Now they want Hasina to resign.
Hasina’s supporters have rejected her resignation.
Earlier, Sheikh Hasina had given unconditional talks with the student leaders, saying they wanted an end to the violence.
“I want to sit with the protesting students and listen to them. I don’t want conflict,” she said.
However, the student protesters have rejected her request.
Hasina last month called in the army to restore order after police stations and several government buildings were torched during protests.
Some protesters
Bangladesh Army Chief General Waqar-us-Zaman held a meeting with junior officers in Dhaka city to assess the security situation.
According to a statement issued by the Directorate of Inter-Services Public Relations, “Bangladesh Army has always stood up for the people and will continue to do so for the benefit of the people and any need of the state,” General Zaman said.
Bangladeshi media say many of those killed in last month’s protests were shot by police. Thousands were injured.
The government contends that the police fired only in self-defense and to protect state property.
Source : BBC News
