At least 91 people, including 13 police officers, have been killed, and dozens more injured in a surge of violence in Bangladesh.
The clashes erupted as police fired tear gas and stun grenades to disperse tens of thousands of protesters demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The deaths were reported in multiple regions, including the capital Dhaka, and the northern districts of Bogura, Pabna, and Rangpur, as well as in Magura in the west, Comilla in the east, and Barisal and Feni in the south. In Sirajganj, an attack on the Enayetpur police station resulted in several police casualties, although the attackers remain unidentified.
The protests initially started in July, sparked by students calling for an end to a government job quota system. The movement has since escalated, with recent protests turning violent and resulting in the deaths of 200 people.
Prime Minister Hasina has condemned the protests, labeling participants as criminals rather than students, and has called for a harsh response. The government has blocked internet access and imposed a shoot-on-sight curfew, leading to at least 11,000 arrests in recent weeks.
The opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has supported the protesters, who have clashed with police and ruling Awami League party activists. Al Jazeera’s Tanvir Chowdhury reported from Dhaka, describing the situation as “volatile and dangerous,” with growing numbers of protesters adamant that they will not move until the government steps down.
Prapti Taposhi, a student activist, highlighted the widespread nature of the unrest, noting that the current protests have evolved beyond student grievances to encompass broader demands for political change.
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