Nearly 100 people, including 14 policemen were killed on Sunday as anti-government protests renewed across Bangladesh. In last three days, hundreds of others have been left injured as thousands gathered to protest in several parts of the country.
During the protests that called for the resignation of prime minister Shiekh Hasina, some chanted ‘down with the autocrat’. Clashes erupted between the police and the students, with security forces deploying tear gas and stun grenades to disperse the violent crowd.
Bangladeshi media say most of those killed in last month’s protests were shot dead by police, but the government argues that police opened fire only in self-defense and to protect state properties.
The student protest started last month with peaceful demands to abolish quotas in civil service jobs. These demands were later largely met but the protests have since transformed into a wider anti-government movement and fuelled nationwide unrest, with the intensity of the demonstrations being described as the worst in living memory.
The total death toll since the protest movement began in July now stands at over 280. Meanwhile, amid the violence, India advised its nationals to refrain from traveling to Bangladesh until further notice. “In view of ongoing developments, Indian nationals are strongly advised against travelling to Bangladesh till further notice…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 of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.
The United Nations human rights chief Volker Turk condemned the violence and said that the “shocking violence” in Bangladesh must end. “With a mass march on Dhaka planned for tomorrow, and the youth wing of the ruling party called up against the protesters, I am deeply worried that there will be further loss of life and wider destruction. I appeal urgently to the political leadership and to the security forces to abide by their obligations to protect the right to life, and the freedom of peaceful assembly and expression,” Turk said.
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