At least 91 people lost their lives and hundreds were injured in Bangladesh on Sunday as police used tear gas and rubber bullets to break up large protests demanding Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation.
This death toll, which includes at least 13 police officers, is the highest for a single day of protests in Bangladesh’s recent history, surpassing the 67 deaths reported on July 19 when students protested to eliminate quotas for government jobs.
The government implemented an indefinite nationwide curfew starting at 6 p.m. local time on Sunday, the first such measure during the ongoing protests that started last month. It also announced a three-day general holiday beginning Monday.
The turmoil, which has led the government to cut off internet services, is the biggest challenge to Hasina’s 20-year rule after she secured a fourth consecutive term in elections boycotted by the main opposition, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party.
Hasina’s critics and human rights organisations accuse her government of excessive force against protesters, allegations that she and her ministers deny.
On Sunday, demonstrators blocked major highways as student protesters launched a non-cooperation movement to demand the government’s resignation, causing violence to spread nationwide.
“Those inciting violence are not students but terrorists aiming to destabilise the nation,” Hasina said following a national security panel meeting with military and police chiefs and other agencies.
“I urge our citizens to firmly oppose these terrorists.”
Police stations and ruling party offices were targeted amid the violence in the country of 170 million people.
Thirteen police officers were beaten to death in Sirajganj district, according to police. Nine others were killed in the district, where two lawmakers’ homes were set ablaze.
At least 11 people, including two students and a ruling party leader, were killed and many injured in intense clashes in various parts of Dhaka, according to police and witnesses.
India’s foreign ministry advised its citizens against traveling to Bangladesh until further notice.
NANCY MBAMALU
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