Bangladesh Protests: Over 100 killed and numbers rising, PM resigns and Much more

Bangladeshi security forces patrolled the streets of Dhaka today as protesters demanding PM Sheikh Hasina resignation threatened to take to the roads again following the deadliest unrest that the country has seen during last month since its freedom in 1971.

There were nationwide clashes between the security forces that opened fire using rifles at protesters who were charging in with sticks and knives after a curfew was imposed on Sunday evening. The way to the Prime minister’s office was barricaded with barbed wire and police and army were posted at each corner along the roads in the capital city.

Mobile internet services were called off, offices were closed, and more than 3500 garment factories were shut down. This has been the worst civil unrest during Sheikh Hasina’s rule in the PM chair that extended up to 15 years till today when she resigned and boarded the helicopter to fly off to India seeking asylum.

On Monday morning, one of the key leaders of the nationwide civil disobedience campaign, Asif Mahmud said, “We are calling on students and the public all over the country to march towards Dhaka. The time has come for the final protest.”

At least 94 people were killed on Sunday including 14 of the security forces as protesters stormed a police station in the North eastern town of Enayetpur. The day’s violence took the total death toll to 300 if counted from the starting of the protests since last month. This is only as per official govt and hospital records, unofficial records may vary.

Also Read | Middle East Tensions Grow: What Indians Should Know

“The shocking violence in Bangladesh has to stop”, UN rights chief worker Volker Turk said in a statement. Protesters were seen climbing up a statue of PM Hasina’s father Sheikh Mujibur Rehman, the country’s father figure and smashing it with hammers.

The erstwhile PM Hasina along with her sister took off to India after resigning from the position this morning. It is yet to be seen what takes place in the Bengali heartland and whether things cool down in the time being. Otherwise international agencies like the UN may have to come forward to resolve the issues.