At least 93 people, including 14 police personnel, were killed and over a thousand others injured, many by bullets, as a new wave of violence engulfed Bangladesh. The unrest began yesterday on the first day of a student-led non-cooperation movement, with ruling party activists and police clashing with protesters in Dhaka and other parts of the country.
A Peaceful Start Turns Violent
The day started peacefully but quickly descended into chaos as Awami League supporters took to the streets to counter anti-government protests. The situation escalated dramatically when an angry mob attacked Enayetpur Police Station in Sirajganj, brutally beating 13 police personnel to death.
Widespread Destruction
Throughout the day, houses of ruling Awami League lawmakers, police stations, party offices, police vehicles, hospital buses, and prison vans were torched or vandalised, prompting authorities to enforce a nationwide curfew. The telecom authorities also blocked 4G mobile internet services in an attempt to quell the unrest.
Nationwide Shutdown
In response to the violence, Bangladesh announced a three-day shutdown of public and private offices, including banks. Meanwhile, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement scheduled a long march to Dhaka for today.
Capital Under Siege
In Dhaka, at least 12 people were killed, with nine of them brought to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Violent clashes erupted in multiple districts, leaving 18 dead in Sirajganj, eight each in Laxmipur and Feni, six in Narsingdi, five in Bogura, four each in Rangpur, Magura, and Sylhet, three each in Pabna, Munshiganj, Cumilla, Kishoreganj, and Sherpur, two in Joypurhat, and one each in Habiganj, Barishal, Savar, Bhola, Gazipur, Keraniganj, and Cox’s Bazar.
Rising Death Toll
The death toll is expected to rise as many with bullet injuries were admitted to hospitals across the country. An uneasy situation has been prevailing since Saturday night after AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader announced that ruling party men would take to the streets to maintain their positions against the protesters.
City in Lockdown
Most shopping malls, shops, and bank branches in Dhaka were closed, and public transport was sparse, forcing people to walk to work. Long-haul buses and trains suspended their services. The protests, originally focused on job quota reforms, have now narrowed their demands to the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her cabinet. They have also initiated a non-cooperation movement, urging citizens not to pay taxes and workers abroad not to send remittances through banking channels.
A Violent Turn
The protests entered a dangerous phase after at least 204 people were killed in indiscriminate firing by law enforcers, members of Border Guard Bangladesh, and ruling party activists between July 16 and July 21. Yesterday, parts of the capital felt like battlefields as police and ruling party activists clashed with protesters in Farmgate, Dhanmondi, Mirpur 10, Uttara, Shahbagh, and Gulistan areas.
Dhaka Under Fire
The road from Farmgate to Bangla Motor resembled a “war zone” as police and ruling party men fired indiscriminately at a huge crowd of protesters advancing towards Farmgate with sticks, drums, and traffic barriers. The protesters retaliated by throwing bricks at the police and Awami League supporters. In Dhanmondi, a clash near the Awami League office around 12:30 pm saw sounds of gunshots and stun grenades as protesters moved from Dhanmondi-2 to Dhanmondi-3. In Old Dhaka, a clash at the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court premises halted proceedings as over a hundred protesters, along with pro-BNP lawyers, broke a gate and threw bricks at the court area. Several vehicles were vandalised as violence broke out.
Shahbag in Turmoil
The Shahbagh intersection saw rival groups clash, leading to another round of violent exchanges within the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University premises. At least 24 vehicles were set on fire. In Mirpur-10, gunshots were heard as protesters clashed with Awami League men and police. Awami League supporters, some armed, took positions backed by police.
Violence Spreads Beyond Dhaka
In Narsingdi, six Awami League leaders were beaten to death in a clash near the Madhavadhi Municipal Building. In Feni, five people were killed in similar clashes, and in Rangpur, four people died, including a local Awami League president and his driver. In Sylhet, two were shot dead, and at least 25 were injured, including policemen and Border Guard Bangladesh members, in a clash near the Court Point area. Bogura saw at least three people killed, with 32 others hospitalized. Pabna witnessed three deaths and 50 injuries during a clash at Traffic Mor. In Munshiganj, two were killed near the Super Market area. Magura reported three deaths and 20 injuries in clashes between protesters, police, and ruling party men. In Kishoreganj, three people, including a woman, were killed, and over 100 injured in a clash that saw the AL office vandalized and set on fire.
A Nation in Crisis
With the death toll rising and widespread injuries reported, Bangladesh stands on the brink of further chaos as protests continue to escalate. The government’s attempts to restore order have so far been met with fierce resistance, and the coming days will be crucial in determining the country’s future stability.