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Tensions reached a boiling point in Bangladesh on Sunday as deadly clashes between protesters and security forces left nearly 100 people dead, prompting the government to impose a nationwide curfew. Despite the restrictions, student activists have called for a march on the capital Dhaka on Monday, intensifying their demands for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation.
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The streets of Dhaka were heavily patrolled by army tanks and police vehicles on Monday morning, with minimal civilian traffic observed. The government’s response to the escalating crisis includes suspending railway services and shutting down the country’s vital garment industry.
Sunday’s violence, which claimed at least 91 lives including 13 police officers, marks the deadliest day of protests in Bangladesh’s recent history. The unrest, which began last month over a controversial job quota system, has evolved into a broader campaign against Hasina’s government.
Protest coordinator Asif Mahmud issued a statement on social media, urging supporters to converge on Dhaka from surrounding districts. The Bangladesh army responded by calling for compliance with curfew rules to ensure public safety and protect state institutions.
The weekend saw widespread violence across 39 of the country’s 64 districts, with reports of attacks on government buildings, ruling party offices, and police stations. The government has also restricted high-speed internet services and blocked access to social media platforms.
Critics accuse Hasina’s administration of using excessive force against demonstrators, a charge the government denies. Opposition leader Tarique Rahman, currently in exile, described the situation as a “bloody struggle between autocracy and democracy” and appealed for international support.
As Bangladesh grapples with this political crisis, the world watches closely to see how events will unfold in the coming days.
