So far, about 100 people, including 14 policemen, have lost their lives in the violence that broke out between the supporters of the ruling party and the protesters demanding the abolition of job reservation and the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Bangladesh. Hundreds of people are injured. The situation is so bad that indefinite curfew has been imposed in the entire country and the Internet has been banned.
The protest turned violent on Sunday
The long-running student protest demanding the abolition of the quota system for government jobs turned violent on Sunday. The protesters say that now their only demand is the resignation of PM Sheikh Hasina. Bangladesh’s leading newspaper Prothom Alo reported that at least 100 people have been killed in clashes, firing and retaliation across the country. According to the police headquarters, 14 policemen have been killed across the country. Of these, 13 were killed in a single police station, Inayatpur in Sirajganj. About 300 policemen are reported to be injured.
Know why violence has erupted
Violence has erupted several times on this issue in Bangladesh. In fact, the protesters demand that the quota system reserving 30 percent of government jobs for the relatives of the 1971 independence fighters be abolished. Earlier, when violence broke out, the court had reduced the quota limit. But the violence did not stop and now the protesters are demanding the resignation of Sheikh Hasina. So far more than 11,000 people have been arrested. Officials claimed that protesters attacked police stations, ruling party offices and residences of their leaders and burned several vehicles. The government ordered the shutdown of meta platforms Facebook, Messenger, WhatsApp and Instagram.
Also read: Violence erupts again in Bangladesh, 93 dead so far, MEA issues advisory for Indians
PM called the protesters terrorists
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Hasina said that those who are carrying out “sabotage” across the country in the name of protest are not students but terrorists and asked people to suppress them strictly. She said, ‘I appeal to the countrymen to crush these terrorists strictly.’ The PM has also held an emergency meeting with defense officials. Meanwhile, amid the violent protests, the government has announced a three-day general holiday on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
Appeal for non-payment of taxes and bills
The protesters have called for non-payment of taxes and bills and also called for not going to work on Sunday. The protesters also attacked offices and establishments that were open on Sunday, including Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, a hospital in Dhaka’s Shahbagh area. Witnesses said some crude bombs exploded and gunfire was heard in Dhaka’s Uttara area.
Violence also took place in July
Speaking to the media, a policeman in Dhaka’s Munshiganj district said that “the whole city has turned into a battlefield”. Protest leaders had called on agitators to arm themselves with bamboo sticks, as the previous round of protests in July was largely crushed by the police.
India issued advisory for Bangladesh
In view of the violence in Bangladesh, the Government of India has issued an advisory to Indian citizens not to travel to the neighboring country. At present, all Indian citizens present in Bangladesh are advised to exercise extreme caution, restrict their movements and stay in touch with the Indian High Commission in Dhaka through their emergency phone numbers. Apart from this, the government has issued a helpline number for this.
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