At least 76 people have been killed in Bangladesh amid worsening clashes between police and anti-government protesters. The unrest comes as student leaders have declared a campaign of civil disobedience to demand that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina step down.
The protest movement started with a demand to abolish quotas in civil service jobs last month but has now turned into a wider anti-government movement. Thirteen police officers were killed when thousands of people attacked a police station in the district of Sirajganj, police said.
Both police and some supporters of the governing party were seen shooting at anti-government protesters with live ammunition. The total death toll since the protest movement began in July now stands at over 270.
A nationwide overnight curfew has been in place since 18:00 (12:00 GMT). Amid calls for her resignation, Prime Minister Hasina sounded defiant, calling the protesters “not students but terrorists who are out to destabilize the nation.”
The situation remains tense as thousands of people continue to gather in the streets, and the government has suspended access to the internet on mobile devices in the capital, Dhaka. The next few days are seen as crucial for both camps as the protests pose a significant challenge to Prime Minister Hasina, who was elected for a fourth consecutive term in January elections.
The student protesters have rejected the government’s offer of unconditional dialogue, demanding justice for those killed and injured and calling for Prime Minister Hasina to step down. The government, on the other hand, argues that police opened fire only in self-defense and to protect state properties.
The situation in Bangladesh remains volatile, with the military being called in to restore order after several police stations and state buildings were set on fire during the protests. The Bangladeshi army chief has reassured the public that the army will continue to stand by the people and the state’s interests.
As the protests continue and tensions escalate, the world watches closely to see how the situation unfolds in Bangladesh.
