91 dead in Bangladesh protests, PM resignation demanded

Clashes in Bangladesh on Sunday left at least 91 people dead and hundreds injured as police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at tens of thousands of protesters demanding Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation.

As reported by CNN, the death toll, including 13 policemen, marked the deadliest day of protests in the nation’s recent history, surpassing the 67 fatalities recorded on July 19 during student protests against government job quotas.

The government declared an indefinite nationwide curfew starting at 6 p.m. local time Sunday, a first during the current wave of unrest that began last month. A three-day general holiday was also announced starting Monday.

This turmoil presents the greatest challenge to Hasina’s 20-year tenure following her fourth consecutive election victory, which was boycotted by the main opposition, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. Critics and human rights groups accuse Hasina’s government of using excessive force against protesters, allegations that the government denies.

On Sunday, demonstrators blocked major highways, and student protesters launched a non-cooperation movement to push for the government's resignation, resulting in violence nationwide. “Those who are carrying out violence are not students but terrorists who are out to destabilize the nation,” Hasina said after a national security meeting attended by military and police chiefs. She urged citizens to confront the "terrorists."

Violence erupted across the country, with police stations and ruling party offices targeted. Thirteen policemen were beaten to death in Sirajganj district, and nine others were killed there, with two lawmakers’ homes set ablaze.

In Dhaka, fierce clashes left at least 11 people dead, including two students and a ruling party leader, and dozens injured, according to police and witnesses. India’s foreign ministry advised its nationals to avoid travel to Bangladesh.

In Munsiganj, two construction workers were killed, and 30 others injured in a three-way clash between protesters, police, and ruling party activists. Abu Hena Mohammad Jamal, the superintendent of the district hospital, confirmed the workers died from bullet wounds, though police denied using live ammunition.

Elsewhere, three people were killed and 50 injured in Pabna district during clashes between protesters and Awami League party activists. Additional fatalities were reported in Feni, Lakshmipur, Narsingdi, Rangpur, Magura, and other districts.

Health Minister Samanta Lal Sen condemned an attack on a medical college hospital in Dhaka, where vehicles, including an ambulance, were set on fire. At least four garment factories were also torched in Ashulia, near Dhaka.

For the second time during the recent protests, the government shut down high-speed internet services. A confidential memo from the National Telecommunication Monitoring Center directed telecom providers to disable 4G services, leaving only 2G functional. Providers were warned of license cancellation for non-compliance.

The protests, initially paused after the Supreme Court scrapped most government job quotas, resumed last week as students demanded justice for those killed in earlier clashes. “I think the genie is out of the bottle and Hasina may not put it back,” said Shakil Ahmed, a professor at Jahangirnagar University.

Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman ordered officers to protect lives, properties, and state installations. An army spokesman said Zaman would brief the media on Monday.

[Information sourced from CNN]