At least 70 killed as clashes rock Bangladesh, curfew imposed

Dhaka, Bangladesh – On Sunday, Bangladesh was engulfed in violent clashes that left at least 70 people dead and hundreds injured, prompting the government to impose a nationwide curfew and cut off mobile internet services in an attempt to quell the unrest. The protests, which began last month as a student movement against a controversial job quota system, have escalated into widespread anti-government demonstrations demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The protests initially focused on the government's reservation of 30% of civil service jobs for the descendants of veterans from the 1971 war of independence against Pakistan. Despite a Supreme Court ruling that reduced the quota to 5%, the demonstrations have continued, fueled by anger over the government's heavy-handed response to earlier protests, which resulted in over 200 deaths in July.

On Sunday, the violence reached a new peak as demonstrators clashed with police and supporters of the ruling Awami League party. According to local reports, at least 20 people were killed in various incidents across the country, adding to the already high death toll from previous weeks. The government has detained approximately 10,000 individuals, including opposition supporters and students.

In Dhaka, the capital, police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse large crowds of protesters. Eyewitnesses reported scenes of chaos as demonstrators set fire to vehicles and government buildings. In the central district of Munshiganj, two construction workers were killed, and 30 others were injured during clashes involving protesters, police, and ruling party activists. Hena Jamal, superintendent of the district hospital, confirmed that the workers died from bullet wounds, though police denied using live ammunition.

The northeastern district of Pabna saw similar violence, with at least three people killed and around 50 injured in confrontations between protesters and Awami League members. In Bogura, two more fatalities were reported, while hospital officials indicated that 20 others were killed across nine different districts.

The government's response to the escalating violence has been severe. The interior ministry announced an indefinite nationwide curfew starting at 6 p.m. on Sunday, marking the first such measure during the ongoing protests. Additionally, high-speed internet services were suspended, and social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp were rendered inaccessible, even through broadband connections.

Prime Minister Hasina has characterized the protesters as "terrorists" intent on destabilizing the country. In a national security meeting, she urged citizens to confront these "terrorists" decisively. "Those currently demonstrating in the streets are not students, but terrorists intent on destabilizing the country," she stated.

The ruling Awami League party has dismissed calls for Hasina's resignation, accusing the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the now-banned Jamaat-e-Islami party of co-opting the protests. The government has also declared a holiday from Monday to Wednesday, resulting in the closure of courts and educational institutions nationwide.

Health Minister Samanta Lal Sen condemned an attack on a hospital in Dhaka, where protesters vandalized a medical college hospital and torched vehicles, including an ambulance. "An assault on a medical facility is unacceptable," he said, urging everyone to refrain from such behavior.

The protests have placed immense pressure on Hasina's administration, which has been in power for over 15 years. Despite the crackdown, the demonstrators remain resolute in their demands for justice and accountability. Nahid Islam, a leader of the student movement, addressed a crowd of thousands in Dhaka, stating, "Sheikh Hasina should not only resign, but there should also be accountability for the killings, looting, and corruption."

As the situation continues to deteriorate, the international community is closely monitoring the developments in Bangladesh. Human rights organizations have criticized the government's use of excessive force, while neighboring India has issued a travel advisory, urging its nationals to avoid traveling to Bangladesh amid the growing unrest.

The coming days are critical for both the government and the protesters, as the nation grapples with one of the most significant challenges to its stability in recent history. The outcome of this crisis will likely have far-reaching implications for Bangladesh's political landscape and its future governance.