Bangladesh in turmoil: Curfew imposed after 91 deaths and over 100 injured in a day

Facing call to resign, Sheikh Hasina labels protesters as terrorists; army ready to provide security

DHAKA:

The situation in Bangladesh remains volatile, with the government's measures, including the nationwide curfew and internet shutdown, reflecting the severity of the crisis.

Bangladesh witnessed a day of unprecedented violence and unrest on Sunday as at least 91 people were killed and hundreds more injured during clashes between protesters and police.

The violence erupted as tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The police responded with tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowds, resulting in the highest death toll from a single day of protests in Bangladesh's recent history, surpassing the 67 deaths reported on July 19 during student protests against government job quotas.

In response to the escalating unrest, the government declared an indefinite nationwide curfew starting at 6 pm local time on Sunday. This is the first time such a measure has been taken during the current wave of protests, which began last month. Additionally, the government announced a three-day general holiday starting from Monday to curb the unrest.

Demonstrations spread across the country as student protesters launched a non-cooperation movement, blocking major highways and calling for the government's resignation. The violence has led to the shutdown of internet services, indicating the government's attempt to control the flow of information and communication among protesters.

The situation marks a significant challenge for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been in power for 20 years and recently secured a fourth consecutive term in elections boycotted by the main opposition, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Critics, including human rights groups, have accused Hasina's government of using excessive force against the protesters, a claim that she and her ministers deny.

Prime Minister Hasina, after a national security panel meeting attended by the chiefs of the army, navy, air force, police, and other agencies, addressed the nation, labelling the protesters as terrorists. "Those who are carrying out violence are not students but terrorists who are out to destabilise the nation," Hasina said, urging the public to "suppress these terrorists with a strong hand."

The clashes turned deadly in various regions, with police stations and ruling party offices being targeted. In the north-western district of Sirajganj, 13 policemen were reportedly beaten to death. Additionally, nine civilians were killed in the same district, where the homes of two lawmakers were set on fire.

In the capital city of Dhaka, at least 11 people, including two students and a ruling party leader, were killed amidst intense clashes. Witnesses reported fierce confrontations between protesters, police, and ruling party activists in several areas of the city.

In the central district of Munsiganj, two construction workers were killed, and 30 others were injured during a three-way clash involving protesters, police, and ruling party supporters. Abu Hena Mohammad Jamal, the superintendent of the district hospital, confirmed that the workers arrived at the hospital with bullet wounds, although police denied firing live ammunition.

Elsewhere, in the northeastern district of Pabna, three people were killed, and 50 were injured during clashes between protesters and activists from Hasina's ruling Awami League party. Similar incidents were reported in Feni, Lakshmipur, Narsingdi, Rangpur, and Magura, resulting in multiple fatalities and numerous injuries.

Health Minister Samanta Lal Sen condemned the attack on a medical college hospital in Dhaka, where a group of vandals set fire to vehicles, including an ambulance, and caused significant damage.

For the second time since the protests began, the government has shut down high-speed internet services. Telecom companies were instructed to disable 4G services, effectively cutting off access to social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp, even on broadband connections.

A confidential government memo obtained by Reuters revealed that the National Telecommunication Monitoring Center, a government intelligence agency, had issued the directive. Companies were warned that their licenses could be revoked if they failed to comply with these orders.

The unrest initially began last month when student groups protested against government job quotas, leading to violent clashes that resulted in at least 150 deaths and thousands of injuries. The protests paused temporarily after the Supreme Court scrapped most of the quotas, but sporadic demonstrations resumed last week, with protesters demanding justice for those killed.

General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Chief of Army Staff, has directed military officers to ensure the security of people's lives, properties, and important state installations. He emphasised that the Bangladesh Army is committed to serving the people's interests and maintaining stability. An army spokesman announced that General Zaman would brief the media on Monday.