Violence Engulfs Bangladesh: 93 Dead, Thousands Injured

Bangladesh is in turmoil as at least 93 people have died, and thousands are injured in ongoing anti-government protests. Clashes between police and protesters continue, with significant property damage reported. The civil unrest aims to force Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign.

At least 93 people were killed as a fresh wave of violence gripped Bangladesh, with thousands sustaining injuries, many from bullets, the Daily Star reported Monday. Anti-government protesters clashed with police in at least 20 districts on Sunday, the first day of the student-led non-cooperation campaign aimed at pressuring Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign.

With the latest tally, anti-government rallies have claimed 300 lives in just three weeks, marking the bloodiest phase in Bangladesh's civil movement history, the Daily Star reported. Tensions escalated after members of the ruling Awami League poured into the streets to quell the demonstrations, leading to increased violence.

In the northern Sirajganj area, an enraged crowd attacked a police station, killing 13 officers as the violence surged. Fighting in Raiganj upazila of Sirajganj left at least five people dead, raising the district's death toll to 18—the highest among all regions. At least 12 people died in the nation's capital, Dhaka, amid the protests.

Bangladesh, already under a state of emergency, saw attackers setting fires or vandalizing homes of ruling party lawmakers, Awami League offices, police stations, law enforcement vehicles, prison vans, and hospital buses. The authorities imposed a nationwide curfew and blocked 4G mobile internet in an attempt to end the violence, according to Daily Star.

Reports of deaths and damage continued to emerge late into Sunday night. The Daily Star's district correspondents noted that many hospitalized patients had severe injuries, suggesting the death toll could rise. Fire service data indicated that at least 70 establishments were set on fire.

In response to the crisis, Bangladesh announced a three-day shutdown of public and private offices, including banks, while students planned a long march for today, potentially clashing with pro-government groups, according to Daily Star. The protests are centered on the demand for Hasina and her cabinet members to resign. Demonstrators have also launched a non-cooperation campaign, urging citizens to withhold taxes and migrant workers not to remit money home through banks.

Amid the violence, India advised its nationals not to travel to Bangladesh. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) strongly cautioned Indian citizens in Bangladesh to be extremely vigilant and limit their movements.

'In view of ongoing developments, Indian nationals are strongly advised against travelling to Bangladesh till further notice,' MEA said in an official statement on Sunday. 'All Indian nationals presently in Bangladesh are advised to exercise extreme caution, restrict their movements and remain in contact with the High Commission of India in Dhaka through their emergency phone numbers 8801958383679, 8801958383680, 8801937400591,' the Ministry added.

The protests erupted over demands to reform the quota system reserving civil service jobs for specific groups, including descendants of 1971 war veterans. Student opposition to a new policy allocating government jobs to descendants of freedom fighters sparked violence, including attacks on state television headquarters and police booths in Dhaka. (ANI)