At least seven people lost their lives and dozens were injured in Bangladesh on Sunday as police clashed with tens of thousands of protesters demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The unrest, which saw the government resort to shutting down internet services, marks one of the most significant challenges to Hasina’s administration since the deadly protests that erupted during her controversial fourth-term victory in the January elections. These elections were notably boycotted by the main opposition, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
Unrest in Munsiganj
In the central district of Munsiganj, a three-way clash between protesters, police, and ruling party activists turned deadly. Two construction workers, en route to work, were caught in the crossfire and were killed, while 30 others sustained injuries. “They were brought dead to the hospital with bullet wounds,” reported Abu Hena Mohammad Jamal, superintendent of the district hospital. Despite these accounts, police officials maintained that they had not discharged any bullets, attributing the chaos to the detonation of improvised explosives which turned the area into a battleground.
Widespread Violence
The violence was not confined to Munsiganj. Across the nation, protesters blocked major highways, leading to further deadly clashes. In the northeastern district of Pabna, at least three individuals were killed and 50 injured during confrontations between protesters and activists of Hasina’s ruling Awami League. The northern district of Bogura also witnessed fatal violence, with two more individuals losing their lives, according to hospital officials.
In the capital, Dhaka, a group of assailants attacked and vandalized the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical College Hospital. This attack coincided with a non-cooperation program launched by student protesters, who are intensifying their demands for the government’s resignation.
Historical Context and Recent Unrest
This wave of violence follows a particularly deadly month, during which at least 150 people were killed, thousands injured, and approximately 10,000 arrested in protests led by student groups. These demonstrations were initially sparked by outrage over government job quotas, which many viewed as unfair. Although the protests temporarily subsided following the Supreme Court’s decision to scrap most of the quotas, students resumed their activism last week, this time demanding justice for the families of those killed during the earlier demonstrations.
Government Response and Criticism
The government’s response to the escalating crisis has drawn sharp criticism. Human rights groups and critics of Hasina have accused her administration of using excessive force to quell the protests. The government, however, denies these allegations. In an attempt to control the situation, authorities shut down high-speed internet services, and mobile operators confirmed that social media platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp were inaccessible even through broadband connections.
Conclusion
The violent clashes in Bangladesh underscore the deep-seated tensions and dissatisfaction with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s administration. As the nation grapples with the fallout from these events, the demand for accountability and reform grows louder. The international community will be watching closely to see how the Bangladeshi government navigates this critical juncture, balancing between maintaining order and addressing the legitimate grievances of its citizens.
