In one of the deadliest days of political violence in recent years, at least 72 people, including 14 policemen, were killed in Bangladesh on Sunday.
The clashes erupted between protesters demanding Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation and supporters of the ruling Awami League.
The unrest broke out on the first day of a non-cooperation movement over a government jobs quota system.
The violence started early in the day when protesters under the banner of Students Against Discrimination took to the streets, demanding the government's resignation.
They faced fierce opposition from supporters of the Awami League, Chhatra League, and Jubo League activists.
Rising toll
By the end of the day, the death toll had risen to 72, with hundreds more injured across various parts of the country.
The Bengali-language daily Prothom Alo reported that 14 policemen were among those killed, with 13 losing their lives in Sirajganj's Enayetpur police station and one in Comilla's Elliotganj.
Government response
As the violence escalated, the Home Ministry imposed an indefinite countrywide curfew from 6 pm on Sunday.
A government agency also ordered the shutdown of Meta platforms Facebook, Messenger, WhatsApp, and Instagram, along with 4G mobile internet services, in an attempt to control the situation.
Prime Minister's stance
Prime Minister Hasina condemned the violence, labelling those engaging in "sabotage" as terrorists rather than students.
"I appeal to the countrymen to suppress these terrorists with a firm hand," she said.
Security meeting
In response to the crisis, Hasina convened a meeting of the National Committee on Security Affairs at her residence, Ganabhaban.
The meeting was attended by the chiefs of the Army, Navy, Air Force, police, RAB, BGB, and other top security officers.
The government also announced a three-day general holiday starting Monday to ensure public safety amid the ongoing violent protests.
Detailed report
According to Prothom Alo, five people were killed in Feni, 22 in Sirajganj, four in Kishoreganj, four in Dhaka, four in Bogura, three in Munshiganj, four in Magura, three in Bhola, four in Rangpur, three in Pabna, four in Sylhet, three in Cumilla, one in Joypurhat, one in Habiganj, and one in Barisal.
Six Awami League leaders and activists were beaten to death in Narsingdi.
Capital unrest
In Dhaka, protesters took away the bodies of four people from Dhaka Medical College Hospital and carried them to the Central Shaheed Minar, where they chanted anti-government slogans.
Dhaka Medical College Hospital reported treating 56 people with bullet injuries from various parts of the city, including Shahbagh, Shanir Akhra, Nayabazar, Dhanmondi, Science Laboratory, Paltan, and the Press Club.
Military involvement
A group of former senior military generals called on the government to withdraw the armed forces from the streets.
Former army chief Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan urged the government to take political initiatives to resolve the crisis, warning against using the military in a "disgraceful campaign."
Shops and schools closed
Most shops and malls in Dhaka were closed amid the protests. Hundreds of students and professionals gathered at Dhaka’s Shahbagh, blocking traffic on all sides.
Similar scenes were witnessed at the Science Lab intersection, where protesters chanted anti-government slogans.
Vandalism and arson
The Daily Star reported several vehicles were torched at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University by unidentified individuals.
People carrying sticks vandalised private cars, ambulances, motorcycles, and buses, triggering fear among patients, their attendants, doctors, and staff.
Protest coordinators dismissed Hasina’s invitation for dialogue, consolidating their demands into a unified call for the government's resignation.
Nahid Islam, a protest coordinator, announced a mass sit-in and demonstration for Monday to press their one-point demand.
They also plan to unveil Martyrs' Memorial plaques in memory of those killed in the quota reform movement.
International and political reactions
The BNP and its allies, along with various political, professional, and cultural groups, have thrown their support behind the student-led movement.
The latest round of clashes follows days of unrest in which over 200 people were killed in violent clashes between police and students demanding an end to the controversial quota system that reserved 30 per cent of government jobs for relatives of 1971 Liberation War veterans.
PM's offer rejected
Prime Minister Hasina had offered to sit for talks with the coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, but the offer was rejected. The movement's coordinators stated their intent to continue protests until their demands were met.
Retaliatory attacks
In Chattogram, the residences of Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel and Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, as well as the office of AL MP Md Mohiuddin Bachchu, were attacked.
In retaliation, the houses of several Opposition BNP leaders, including Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, were targeted.
The ongoing crisis has raised concerns about the stability of Bangladesh. The government's heavy-handed response and the protesters' determination have created a volatile situation.
Follow us
