Bangladesh Unrest: Police and Protesters Clash Amid Calls for PM's Resignation

At least 27 fatalities occurred in Bangladesh amid violent clashes between police and protesters demanding Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation. The government imposed an indefinite curfew and shut down the internet. The unrest is linked to longstanding political tensions and previous protests against government job quotas.

At least 27 people were killed and numerous others injured during violent clashes in Bangladesh on Sunday, as law enforcement used tear gas and stun grenades to disperse tens of thousands demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The interior ministry announced an indefinite curfew starting at 6 p.m. (1200 GMT) on Sunday, a first since the protests began last month.

The unrest has led the government to shut down internet services, marking the biggest challenge for Hasina's administration since protests following her fourth-term win in January elections, which were boycotted by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. Critics and human rights groups accuse the government of using excessive force, which Hasina and her ministers refute.

Protesters, including students, blocked major highways on Sunday, urging for the government's resignation, which resulted in violence spreading nationwide. Prime Minister Hasina described the protesters as 'terrorists' aiming to destabilize the country and urged citizens to resist them. Incidents of violence included fatalities and injuries among construction workers and demonstrators in multiple districts, with hospitals reporting deaths linked to bullet wounds. The government again halted high-speed internet services, affecting platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp.