Bangladesh: Protesters Call For "March To Dhaka" In Defiance Of Indefinite Curfew, Nearly 100 Killed (Ximage@dhruvrahtee)
Bangladesh is boiling once again with fierce protest and clashes between the protesters and government. Nearly 100 death were reported, as thousands protest demanding the resignation of the country’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The death toll rose as protesters clashed with the ruling party supporters. The country is set for more protest today.
Government decided to impose an indefinite country wide curfew. Mobile internet was also widely restricted in the country. As a measure to ensure public safety amidst the ongoing violent protests, a three-day holiday was declared on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
Yesterday was marked as one of the deadliest since the violent protests started last month. With the 98 deaths reported yesterday, the number of total deaths rose to 300.
The clashes broke out as protesters attending the non-cooperation programme that demanded the resignation of the ruling government met with opposition from the supporters of the government.
Also Read: At Least 93 Dead, Bangladesh Protests Turn Litmus Test For Sheikh Hasina
The students in Bangladesh has organized a “March to Dhaka” today, as a move to raise its one-point demand, which is the resignation of Sheikh Hasina. Analysts fear that more fierce violence could be reported.
Days before, over 200 people were killed during the clash between protesters and police. The protest started with student protesters demanding an end to the controversial quota system that reserved 30 per cent of government jobs for relatives of veterans who fought in Bangladesh’s War of Independence in 1971.
India issued advisory to its nationals in the country. “All Indian nationals including students living in the jurisdiction of the Assistant High Commission of India, Sylhet are requested to be in touch with this office and are advised to remain alert. In case of emergencies, please contact +88-01313076402,” the Assistant High Commission said in a post on X.
Also Read: Bangladesh Bans Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Other Social Media Apps Amid Students’ Protests
Volker Turk, the United Nations human rights chief, said that the “shocking violence” in Bangladesh must end, as he urged the government to stop targeting peaceful protesters.
The rally that started last month protesting against the civil service job quotas have escalated into some of the worst unrest of Prime Minister Hasina’s 15-year rule and shifted into wider calls for the 76-year-old to step down.
The protesters dismissed Hasina’s invitation for dialogue aimed at quelling escalating violence and reinforced their demands into a unified call for the government’s resignation.
