2024-08-05 18:40:41
Dhaka: Nearly 100 people, including 14 policemen, were killed and hundreds of others injured in fierce clashes on Sunday between protesters demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and supporters of the ruling Awami League in different parts of Bangladesh. This demonstration against the government was also seen by the fundamentalists as an opportunity to attack Hindus and temples. According to the report of The Indian Express, Hindu houses including ISKCON and Kali temples were targeted. Due to this, devotees were forced to take shelter. One Hindu has also died in the violence. India issued an advisory asking people to avoid traveling. At the same time, the Army Chief has said that now there will be no firing from the army. Due to the violence, the authorities shut down mobile internet service and imposed curfew across the country indefinitely. Protesters demanding the resignation of the government over the uproar on the issue of reservation system in government jobs arrived on Sunday to participate in the ‘Non-cooperation Program’ organized under the banner of ‘Students Against Discrimination’. They were opposed by Awami League, Chhatra League and Jubo League activists and then clashes broke out between the two sides. The Prothom Alo newspaper reported that at least 100 people lost their lives in clashes, firing and counter-attacks across the country in connection with the ‘non-cooperation’ movement. According to the police headquarters, 14 policemen were reported killed across the country, of which 13 were from Enayatpur police station in Sirajganj.
According to the newspaper, one person was killed in Comilla’s Elliotganj. Apart from this, more than 300 policemen have been injured. Officials said that today’s protest was joined by unknown people and activists of the right-wing Islamic proletariat movement, who barricaded several major highways and internal roads of the capital. They said that the protesters attacked police stations, police posts, ruling party offices and residences of its leaders and set several vehicles on fire.
‘There will be no firing from the army’
The Home Ministry decided to impose indefinite curfew in the country from 6 pm on Sunday. Government agencies have ordered to shut down social media platforms ‘Facebook’, ‘Messenger’, ‘WhatsApp’ and ‘Instagram’. The newspaper reported that mobile providers have been ordered to shut down 4G internet. According to the report, the army chief said about the uproar that now there will be no firing from the army. He also said that if the change of power happens in an undemocratic way, then Bangladesh will become like Kenya. Political commentator Professor Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah in Bangladesh said, ‘We believe that the army’s intention is good, because they have taken an oath. They are not like the Pakistani army which will threaten to stage a coup. The protesters refused to negotiate and are now demanding the resignation of Sheikh Hasina.’
‘These are not students but terrorists’
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Hasina said that those who are vandalising Bangladesh in the name of protest are not students but terrorists and asked the public to deal strictly with such people. She said, “I appeal to the countrymen to deal strictly with these terrorists.” Quoting sources in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the newspaper reported that Hasina convened a meeting of the National Committee on Security Affairs at Ganabhaban. The meeting was attended by the chiefs of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB) and other top security officials.
The government has declared a three-day general holiday on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to ensure the safety of people amid ongoing violent protests across the country. Six Awami League leaders and activists were beaten to death and several others injured in clashes between ruling party supporters and protesters in Narsingdi, the newspaper reported. In the capital, protesters carried away the bodies of four people from the Dhaka Medical College Hospital. According to the report, the protesters carried the four bodies to the Central Shaheed Minar and raised anti-government slogans.
Former Army Chief asked to remove the army
In a related development, a group of former senior army officers on Sunday urged the government to withdraw the armed forces from the streets and send them back to the barracks. Iqbal Karim, who served as army chief in Prime Minister Hasina’s government, said, “We urge the government to take political initiative to resolve the current situation. Do not destroy the good reputation of our armed forces by involving them in such operations.” Most shops and malls in Dhaka remained closed due to the protests. Hundreds of students and working people have gathered at Dhaka’s Shahbagh, causing traffic jams.
(With agency input.)