Nearly 300 killed, hundreds injured in Bangladesh clashes.
The government has ordered the shutdown of Meta platforms including Facebook, Messenger, WhatsApp, and Instagram. This move is reportedly aimed at curbing the spread of misinformation and maintaining public order amid ongoing unrest. The decision comes in response to recent violent clashes, highlighting the authorities’ concern over the role of social media in escalating tensions. The shutdown is expected to be temporary, lasting until the situation stabilizes. Users are advised to seek alternative means of communication and stay updated through official channels for further information and updates on the situation.
Bangladesh in Turmoil: Deadly Clashes and Government Crackdown
Dhaka: Nearly 100 People Killed in Violent Clashes
Bangladesh witnessed a tragic escalation of violence on Sunday, resulting in nearly 100 deaths, including 14 policemen, and hundreds of injuries. The clashes erupted between protesters demanding Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation and ruling party supporters. The unrest prompted authorities to cut off mobile internet and enforce a nationwide curfew for an indefinite period.
Origins of the Clashes
The violent confrontations began on Sunday morning during a non-cooperation program organized by Students Against Discrimination. The protesters, unified under the one-point demand for the government’s resignation over a controversial job quota system, were met with fierce opposition from supporters of the Awami League, Chhatra League, and Jubo League activists.
Casualties and Damage
According to the Bengali-language newspaper Prothom Alo, at least 98 people were killed in various incidents, including clashes, shootings, and counter-chases across the country. The police reported that 14 of their officers were killed, with 13 fatalities occurring at the Enayetpur police station in Sirajganj and one in Comilla’s Elliotganj. Additionally, more than 300 policemen were injured during the unrest.
Background of the Protests
The recent violence follows earlier clashes where over 200 people, mostly student protesters, were killed. These protests were against a quota system reserving 30 percent of government jobs for relatives of veterans who fought in Bangladesh’s War of Independence in 1971. In response to the ongoing unrest, the authorities have arrested more than 11,000 individuals.
Government and Protester Actions
Officials claimed that unidentified individuals and activists from the right-wing Islami Shashontantra Andolon joined the protests, erecting barricades on major highways and within the capital city. Protesters attacked police stations, ruling party offices, and the residences of their leaders, setting several vehicles on fire. In response, the government imposed a curfew in major cities and towns, mobilizing troops, paramilitary border guards, and the elite anti-crime Rapid Action Battalion alongside police forces.
Shutdown of Social Media and Mobile Internet
The government ordered the shutdown of Meta platforms, including Facebook, Messenger, WhatsApp, and Instagram, and instructed mobile operators to disable 4G mobile internet services. This move aims to curb the spread of misinformation and maintain public order amid the chaos.
Prime Minister Hasina’s Response
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina condemned the violent protests, labeling the participants as terrorists rather than students. She urged citizens to suppress these acts of sabotage with a firm hand and called for a meeting of the National Committee on Security Affairs at her residence, Ganabhaban. The meeting was attended by top security officials, including the chiefs of the Army, Navy, Air Force, police, Rapid Action Battalion, and Border Guards.
Three-Day General Holiday
To ensure public safety amid the protests, the government announced a three-day general holiday from Monday to Wednesday.
Casualty Details and Further Violence
The violence led to multiple fatalities across various regions: eight in Feni, eight in Laxmipur, 22 (including 13 policemen) in Sirajganj, five in Kishoreganj, 11 in Dhaka, five in Bogura, Additional casualties were reported in Keraniganj, Savar, Cox’s Bazar, Barisal, and Sreepur.
Dhaka Medical College Hospital reported receiving 56 individuals with bullet injuries from various locations, including Shahbagh, Shanir Akhra, Nayabazar, Dhanmondi, Science Laboratory, Paltan, Press Club, and Munshiganj.
Calls for Military Withdrawal
They called for political initiatives to resolve the crisis and warned against damaging the armed forces’ reputation.
Impact on Dhaka
Most shops and malls in Dhaka were closed, and hundreds of students and professionals gathered at Shahbagh, blocking traffic. Protesters also assembled at the Science Lab intersection, chanting anti-government slogans. Several vehicles at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University were torched, and unidentified individuals vandalized private cars, ambulances, motorcycles, and buses, causing fear among patients, doctors, and staff.
Continued Protests and Government Reactions
Protesters intend to unveil Martyrs’ Memorial plaques across the country to honor those killed during the quota reform movement.
In Chattogram, residences of Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel, Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, and AL MP Md Mohiuddin Bachchu were attacked. In apparent retaliation, homes of several Opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leaders were targeted.
The BNP and its allies, along with various political, professional, and cultural groups, have expressed support for the student-led movement. Prime Minister Hasina offered to hold talks with the movement’s coordinators, but they rejected her proposal. Government leaders have claimed that the peaceful campaign was hijacked by fundamentalist Jamaat-e-Islami and their student front Islami Chhatra Shibir, supported by ex-premier Khaleda Zia’s BNP.
The ongoing crisis in Bangladesh reflects deep-seated political tensions and widespread dissatisfaction with the current government, highlighting the need for dialogue and reform to address the nation’s challenges.