DHAKA: Protesting students in Bangladesh have called for a march to the capital, Dhaka, on Monday, defying a nationwide curfew to demand Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation. This comes after violent clashes on Sunday left nearly 100 people dead.
The protests began last month when students demanded the removal of a controversial quota system in government jobs. This movement has since grown into a campaign to oust Hasina, who secured a fourth consecutive term in January’s election, which was boycotted by the opposition.
On Sunday, police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse tens of thousands of protesters, resulting in at least 91 deaths and hundreds of injuries. Among the dead were at least 13 policemen. The violence on Sunday marks the deadliest day of protests in Bangladesh’s recent history, surpassing the 67 deaths reported during anti-quota protests on July 19.
The government imposed an indefinite nationwide curfew starting at 6 pm local time (1200 GMT) on Sunday and announced a three-day general holiday beginning Monday. Rail services have been suspended, and the country’s large garment industry has shut down.
Protest coordinator Asif Mahmud stated on Facebook, “The government has killed many students. The time has come for the final answer. Everyone will come to Dhaka, especially from the surrounding districts. Come to Dhaka and take a position on the streets.”
The Bangladesh army has urged everyone to obey the curfew. In a statement, the army said, “The Bangladesh army will perform its promised duty in line with the Bangladesh constitution and existing laws of the country. In this regard, the people are requested to abide by the curfew and give full cooperation to this end.”
Over the weekend, there were numerous reports of attacks, vandalism, and arson targeting government buildings, offices of the ruling Awami League party, police stations, and homes of public representatives. Violence has been reported in 39 of the country’s 64 districts.
The Bangladesh Railway has indefinitely suspended all services due to the escalating violence. The garment factories, which supply apparel to top brands worldwide, have also been closed. The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association stated, “In view of the prevailing situation, owners have decided to close all garment factories across the country, considering the overall safety of the workers.”
The unrest, which has led the government to shut down internet services, is the biggest challenge Hasina has faced in her 20-year regime. She won a fourth consecutive term in elections boycotted by the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party. Critics and human rights groups accuse her government of using excessive force against protesters, a charge she and her ministers deny.
This is the second time during the recent protests that the government has shut down high-speed internet services. Social media platforms Facebook and WhatsApp were not available, even via broadband connections.
Last month, at least 150 people were killed and thousands injured in violence triggered by student protests against government job quotas. The protests paused after the Supreme Court scrapped most quotas, but students returned to the streets last week, demanding justice for the families of those killed and Hasina’s resignation.
Hasina has labeled the protesters as “terrorists who are out to destabilize the nation.” The role of the army in addressing the violence has been highlighted, with retired military officers urging Hasina to withdraw troops from the streets and seek “political initiatives” to resolve the crisis. Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman stated that the army would always prioritize the people’s interests and the state’s needs.