Student protests in Bangladesh. (X/JusticeBengal)
New Delhi: Bangladesh witnessed a surge of violence over the weekend, resulting in the deaths of over 93 individuals and injuring hundreds as student protesters engaged in clashes with police and ruling party supporters. The unrest, which has been building for over a month, saw the police deploying tear gas and stun grenades to disperse tens of thousands demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
In response to the escalating violence, the government declared an indefinite nationwide curfew starting at 6 PM on Sunday. This marks the first time such a measure has been enacted during the ongoing protests, which began last month over the controversial quota system for government jobs.
Students have been protesting for over a month against the quota system, which reserves 30% of government jobs for families of veterans from Bangladesh's 1971 War of Independence. The agitation, which has seen repeated violence, has led to at least 200 deaths across the country, with Dhaka as the central hub. Despite the Supreme Court's decision to reduce the quota to 5%, with 3% allocated to veterans' families, the protests have continued.
On Sunday, crowds wielding sticks filled Dhaka's central Shahbagh Square, with street battles erupting in multiple locations, including other major cities. Protesters blocked highways, clashed with police, and confronted groups supporting the ruling Awami League. Witnesses reported explosions and gunfire in Dhaka's Uttara area, and several vehicles were set ablaze.
Protesters, backed by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and opposition groups, have urged a 'non-cooperation' movement, calling on citizens not to pay taxes or utility bills and to abstain from work on Sunday, a typical working day in Bangladesh. They also attacked businesses and institutions that remained open, including the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University.
A police officer in Dhaka described the situation as a "battleground," with protest leaders encouraging demonstrators to arm themselves with bamboo sticks.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina dismissed the protesters as "terrorists" attempting to destabilize the country. After a national security meeting, Hasina stated, "Those who are protesting on the streets right now are not students, but terrorists who are out to destabilize the nation." She urged citizens to take a firm stance against them.
Despite the tension, the Awami League announced that the Prime Minister has called for the release of detained students who are not facing serious charges like murder and vandalism. The release of these individuals was a key demand of the protesters.
The Bangladesh Army issued a statement expressing solidarity with the people, though it did not explicitly support the protesters. Army Chief Waker-uz-Zaman affirmed, "The Bangladesh Army is a symbol of the people's trust and has always stood by the people and will continue to do so for the sake of the people and the state."
Several former military officers have joined the student movement, with ex-Army Chief General Ikbal Karim Bhuiyan showing his support by changing his Facebook profile picture to red.
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