2024-08-05 05:00:02
At least 98 people, including 14 police officers, were killed and hundreds wounded as a fresh wave of violence swept across Bangladesh.
The clashes broke out on Sunday morning between protesters demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and supporters of the ruling party across various regions of Bangladesh.
The intensity of the confrontations has forced authorities to take drastic measures, including cutting off mobile internet services and imposing a nationwide curfew for an indefinite period.
The Central government has “strongly advised” Indian nationals against travelling to Bangladesh till further notice and Indian authorities in Bangladesh asked citizens to “remain alert” in view of the volatile situation.
During the protests, clashes erupted between the police and the students, with security forces firing tear gas shells and stun grenades to disperse the violent mob.
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In the wake of the fresh violence in Bangladesh, the Ministry of External Affairs issued an advisory to its nationals, asking them to exercise “extreme caution” and restrict their movements. It also asked its citizens to refrain from travelling to Bangladesh until further notice.
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According to the Bangladesh police, a total of 14 cops have been killed across the country during the clashes. Out of them, as many as 13 were killed in Sirajganj’s Enayetpur police station, and one was killed in Comilla’s Elliotganj, news agency PTI reported. Meanwhile, over 300 cops have been wounded.
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Amid escalating violence, Bangladesh Railways has suspended all services indefinitely. Garment factories in the country have also been closed indefinitely, news agency Reuters reported.
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Bangladesh protestors have asked the general public to join a “Long March to Dhaka” today, news agency PTI reported.
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In order to ensure public safety, the Bangladesh administration has announced a three-day public holiday starting from today, local media outlet Dhaka Tribune reported.
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The protests on Sunday witnessed the participation of unidentified people and activists of right-wing Islami Shashontantra Andolon, who erected barricades on multiple major highways and within the capital city, PTI reported while citing local officials.
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Calling the protestors “terrorists,” Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina asked people to suppress those engaging in “sabotage” across the country in the name of protest.
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The United Nations human rights chief Volker Turk criticised the clashes and stated that the “shocking violence” in Bangladesh must end.
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“All Indian nationals presently in Bangladesh are advised to exercise extreme caution, restrict their movements and remain in contact with the High Commission of India in Dhaka through their emergency phone numbers: +8801958383679, +8801958383680 and +8801937400591,” the central governmnet stated.
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Bangladesh Army, in a statement that did not explicitly say whether they supported the protesters, stated that they stand by the people. Army Chief Waker-uz-Zaman told officers that “the Bangladesh Army is a symbol of the people’s trust” and “it has always stood by the people and will continue to do so for the sake of the people and the state”.
Bangladesh clashes, 98 deaths, Indian travel advisory, Bangladesh violence, curfew in Bangladesh
