Bangladesh Violence: Violence has once again started in Bangladesh. This time thousands of protesters have taken to the streets demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. On Sunday (August 4), there were violent clashes between protesters and police at many places.
According to news agency PTI, 72 people have died so far. 14 policemen are also among the dead. So far more than 40 people injured by bullets have been admitted to the hospital.
The government has imposed curfew across the country to control the violence. Also, a holiday has been declared for the next 3 days. Apart from this, orders have also been given to close shops and banks in the capital Dhaka.
The police used tear gas and smoke grenades to disperse the crowd. To control the violence, the government has shut down the internet. Along with this, social media platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram and X have also been banned.
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PM Hasina said- those protesting are not students but terrorists
In the meeting of the National Committee on Security Affairs, PM Hasina said that those who are protesting in the country are not students but terrorists. I appeal to the countrymen to unite to stop these terrorists. Hasina was accompanied by the chiefs of the three armed forces of Bangladesh, the police chief and top security officers in this meeting.
Sheikh Hasina became the Prime Minister of Bangladesh for the fourth consecutive time in January this year. However, the main opposition party Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) boycotted this election. BNP was demanding the resignation of Sheikh Hasina from the post of Prime Minister to conduct fair elections. After the election results were announced, violence and protests started across the country.
The Indian High Commission asks Indians living there to maintain contact
1- The Assistant High Commission of India in Bangladesh said in a post on X, “All Indian nationals, including students, residing within the jurisdiction of the Assistant High Commission of India, Sylhet are requested to remain in touch with this office and remain vigilant. In case of emergency, please contact +88-01313076402.”
2- Protests against reservation in government jobs resumed today with demands for the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
3- Just a few days ago, more than 200 people were killed in violent clashes between police and mainly student protesters in Bangladesh, who were demanding the abolition of the controversial quota system. Under the quota system, 30 percent reservation in government jobs has been given to relatives of fighters who fought in Bangladesh’s independence war in 1971.
4- According to news agency PTI, the clashes started this morning when protesters who had come to participate in the non-cooperation program organised to demand the resignation of the government faced opposition from Awami League, Chhatra League and Jubo League workers.
5- Bangladesh’s Home Ministry has decided to impose indefinite curfew across the country from 6 pm on Sunday. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that those who are vandalising Bangladesh in the name of protests are not students but terrorists. She asked people to suppress them strictly.
6- Sheikh Hasina convened a meeting of the National Committee on Security Affairs in Ganbhaban. She said, “I appeal to the countrymen to suppress these terrorists strictly.” The heads of the army, navy, air force, police and other agencies attended the meeting.
7- According to local media, four Awami League supporters were killed and over 100 injured in Rangpur, while two people each, including a student party leader, were killed in Bogra and Magura.
8- The protesters, under the banner of Anti-Discrimination Students Movement, raised slogans demanding the resignation of Sheikh Hasina and justice for those killed in the recent violence during the quota reform protests, bdnews24 news portal reported.
9- According to the newspaper Daily Star, on Sunday, unidentified people set several vehicles on fire at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU). People carrying sticks were seen vandalising cars, ambulances, motorcycles and buses.
10- The protesters rejected Sheikh Hasina’s invitation for talks to stop the escalating violence. They have demanded the resignation of the government over their demands.
More than 150 killed in anti-reservation violence
Last month, there were violent protests in Bangladesh demanding the abolition of reservation in government jobs. More than 150 people were killed in these protests.
The Bangladesh government had abolished the 56% reservation given to different categories in 2018, but on June 5 this year, the High Court there overturned the government’s decision and re-implemented the reservation. After this, violent protests started across the country.
However, on July 21, the Supreme Court changed the High Court’s decision and reduced the reservation limit from 56% to 7%. Out of this, 5% reservation will be given to the families of freedom fighters, which was 30% earlier. The remaining 2% will include ethnic minorities, transgenders and Divyangs. The Supreme Court said that 93% of the jobs will be given on the basis of merit.
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