Fresh violence in Bangladesh has resulted in dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries, prompting the shutdown of internet services and the implementation of a nationwide curfew.
On Sunday, it was reported that nearly 100 people died as student protesters demanding the prime minister’s resignation clashed with police and activists from the ruling party.
The prominent Bengali-language newspaper, Prothom Alo, reported that the confrontations resulted in at least 95 deaths.
To curb the escalating violence, the interior ministry enacted an indefinite nationwide curfew starting at 6pm local time (12pm GMT).
Additionally, internet access was cut off, and social media sites such as Facebook and WhatsApp were blocked.
This surge of violence follows previous student protests last month that turned violent over a quota system in government jobs, resulting in at least 200 deaths and thousands of injuries. Authorities have detained at least 10,000 people.
The Supreme Court has since modified the quota system. Students have resumed protests, calling for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation and justice for the deceased.
Human rights groups and protesters have accused the government of using excessive force, a charge that the Prime Minister and her cabinet deny.
During Sunday’s unrest, demonstrators attacked a major public hospital in Dhaka, setting several vehicles on fire.
Elsewhere in the capital, police used tear gas to disperse a large group of protesters blocking a major road, where crude bombs exploded and gunfire was reported.
The student protesters have initiated a non-cooperation movement to force the government’s resignation, urging the public to avoid paying taxes and utility bills, and to abstain from work on Sunday, a regular working day in Bangladesh.
Prime Minister Hasina proposed negotiations with the student leaders on Saturday, but they were declined, with a singular demand for her resignation.
She committed to thoroughly investigating the fatalities and holding those responsible for the violence accountable.
“Those who are protesting on the streets right now are not students, but terrorists who are out to destabilize the nation,” Ms. Hasina said after a national security panel meeting.
“I appeal to our countrymen to suppress these terrorists with a strong hand.”
Ms. Hasina, having led Bangladesh for 15 years, secured her fourth consecutive term in January in an election boycotted by major opposition parties.
