B’desh in crisis: At least 98 dead as anti-govt protests turn violent

New Delhi/Dhaka: At least 98 people, including 14 policemen, were killed and hundreds injured on Sunday in violent clashes between protesters demanding Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation and ruling party supporters. The unrest, which engulfed different parts

of Bangladesh, prompted authorities to cut off mobile internet and enforce a nationwide curfew for an indefinite period.

The unrest, which began as a student-led movement against a controversial job quota system, has rapidly escalated into a broader anti-government protest.

Meanwhile, India has asked its citizens living in Bangladesh to be in touch and remain alert. "All Indian nationals including students living in the jurisdiction of the Assistant High Commission of India, Sylhet are requested to be in touch with this office and are advised to remain alert. In case of emergencies, please contact +88-01313076402," the Assistant High Commission said in a post on X.

The clashes broke out early Sunday morning when protesters, under the banner of the Students Against Discrimination, attended a non-cooperation program. Their primary demand was the government’s resignation over a controversial job quota system. This system reserves 30 per cent of government jobs for relatives of veterans who fought in Bangladesh’s War of Independence in 1971. The protesters faced fierce opposition from supporters of the Awami League, Chhatra League, and Jubo League activists.

According to Bengali-language daily Prothom Alo, at least 98 people were killed in clashes, shootings, and counter-chases across the country. The violence led to the deaths of 14 policemen, with 13 killed in Sirajganj’s Enayetpur police station and one in Comilla’s Elliotganj. Over 300 policemen were reported injured.

The fresh wave of clashes follows days after more than 200 people were killed in violent confrontations between the police and mostly student protesters. These earlier protests also centred around the job quota system, which many see as unfair and discriminatory.

Officials claimed that the Sunday’s protests were further fueled by unidentified individuals and activists from the rightwing Islami Shashontantra Andolon. They erected barricades on major highways and within the capital city, Dhaka. Protesters attacked police stations, ruling party offices, and the residences of their leaders, setting several vehicles on fire.

In response to the escalating violence, authorities imposed a curfew in major cities and towns across Bangladesh starting from 6 pm on Sunday. Troops, paramilitary border guards (BGB), and the elite Rapid Action Battalion were mobilised alongside the police to enforce the order.

To curb communication and prevent further mobilisation of protesters, the government ordered the shutdown of Meta platforms, including Facebook, Messenger, WhatsApp, and Instagram, and suspended 4G mobile internet services.

Prime Minister Hasina condemned the violence, labelling those engaging in “sabotage” as terrorists rather than students. She urged the public to suppress these elements firmly.

“I appeal to the countrymen to suppress these terrorists with a firm hand,” Hasina declared.

Hasina convened a meeting of the National Committee on Security Affairs, the highest policy-making authority on national security, at Ganabhaban. The meeting included the chiefs of the Army, Navy, Air Force, police, RAB, BGB, and other top security officers. This meeting was a response to the spreading of violence.

In an effort to ensure public safety amid the ongoing unrest, the government announced a three-day general holiday for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

Reports from various regions highlighted the extent of the violence. Eight people were killed in Feni, 22 including 13 policemen in Sirajganj, four in Kishoreganj, six in Dhaka, five in Bogura, three in Munshiganj, four in Magura, three in Bhola, four in Rangpur, three in Pabna, five in Sylhet, three in Cumilla, two in Sherpur, and one each in Joypurhat, Keraniganj, Savar, and Barisal.

In the capital, Dhaka, protesters removed the bodies of four victims from Dhaka Medical College Hospital, taking them to the Central Shaheed Minar and chanting anti-government slogans.

Dhaka Medical College Hospital reported receiving 56 people with bullet injuries from various protest sites, including Shahbagh, Shanir Akhra, Nayabazar, Dhanmondi, Science Laboratory, Paltan, Press Club, and Munshiganj.

A group of former senior military generals urged the government to withdraw the armed forces from the streets and seek political solutions to the crisis. Former army chief Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan emphasised the need to protect the reputation of the armed forces by avoiding confrontations with the public.

“The Bangladeshi armed forces have never faced off with the masses or trained their guns at the chests of their fellow citizens,” Bhuiyan stated.

Amid the turmoil, most shops and malls in Dhaka were closed. Protesters gathered at various key intersections, blocking traffic and chanting anti-government slogans.

In Chattogram, the residences of Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel, Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, and the office of Awami League MP Md Mohiuddin Bachchu were attacked. In retaliation, homes of several Opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leaders were targeted.

Prime Minister Hasina had offered to meet with the coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement on Saturday, but the proposal was rejected. Government leaders claimed that the peaceful campaign had been hijacked by fundamentalist groups and opposition parties.

As the situation remains tense, Nahid Islam, a coordinator of the anti-government protests, announced a demonstration and mass sit-in on Monday to honour those killed in the recent violence. Vandalism and arson attacks on police vehicles and government buildings continue, signalling a prolonged period of unrest and uncertainty for Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus criticised India’s stance on Bangladesh’s protests as an “internal matter,” stating it “hurts.” He emphasised the crisis stems from a “lack of democracy” and warned of potential spillover to neighbouring countries. Yunus expressed disappointment in SAARC’s unfulfilled promise of regional cooperation, likening the ideal to the European Union. He stressed that with 170 million Bangladeshis angered and youth killed by government forces, the situation is unlikely to remain contained within borders. Yunus called for a more nuanced diplomatic approach, arguing that regional stability requires acknowledging the interconnectedness of South Asian nations.with agency inputs