Fresh violence erupted in Bangladesh on Monday, resulting in at least 300 deaths as student protests reignited following last month's deadly government crackdown. In response, the government has imposed nationwide curfews and restricted mobile internet access.
Renewed Protests and Government Crackdown
On Sunday, demonstrators took to the streets once again, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The unrest initially began last month when students protested against a quota system that favored families of veterans from Bangladesh’s 1971 war of independence against Pakistan. In reaction to the latest violence, Hasina labeled the protesters as criminals rather than students.
Warnings from India
The escalating violence prompted the Ministry of External Affairs in India to advise citizens against traveling to Bangladesh. Those already residing in Bangladesh were urged to exercise extreme caution, limit their movements, and stay in touch with the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.
Clashes and Vandalism in Dhaka
The new wave of violence began after protesters called for a “non-cooperation” effort, urging people not to pay taxes, utility bills, or go to work. Although offices, banks, and factories opened, commuters in Dhaka and other cities faced significant challenges. Demonstrators attacked the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University in Dhaka’s Shahbagh area, setting several vehicles on fire. Video footage showed protesters vandalizing a prison van at the chief metropolitan magistrate's court in Dhaka, with police responding with live bullets, rubber bullets, and tear gas. Protesters also set fire to vehicles and ruling party offices, with some carrying sharp weapons and sticks.
Curfews and Widespread Clashes
In Dhaka’s Uttara neighborhood, police fired tear gas to disperse hundreds of people blocking a major highway. Protesters attacked homes and vandalized a community welfare office, with crude bombs detonated and gunshots heard. The violence led to the closure of schools and universities, and authorities imposed a shoot-on-sight curfew in some areas.
Background and Ongoing Demands
The protests began last month with calls to end a 30% quota on government jobs for veterans' families. The Supreme Court ruled that the veterans’ quota should be reduced to 5%, with 93% of jobs allocated based on merit and 2% reserved for ethnic minorities and disabled individuals. Although the government accepted the decision, protests continued, demanding accountability for the violence. Over 11,000 people have been arrested in recent weeks.
Government's Hardline Stance
Prime Minister Hasina accused the protesters of sabotage and cut off mobile internet services to suppress dissent. An indefinite curfew has been in place since Sunday evening in Dhaka and other major areas. Hasina reiterated that protesters engaging in violence were criminals, urging the public to deal with them firmly.
Opposition Involvement
The ruling Awami League party claimed that the demand for Hasina’s resignation indicated that the protests had been taken over by the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party and the banned Jamaat-e-Islami party. Opposition leader Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir called for the government to step down to halt the chaos.
Ongoing Unrest
Despite Hasina’s offer to talk with student leaders, the protests remain a significant challenge for her administration. Amid the unrest, the government announced a holiday from Monday to Wednesday, with courts closed indefinitely. Mobile internet services and social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp have been shut down.
The anti-government protesters plan to march to Dhaka on Monday, signaling that the turmoil in Bangladesh is far from over.
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