Chaos Erupts in Bangladesh Amid Protests Against Prime Minister

Bangladesh is in turmoil as violent clashes between police and protesters have led to the deaths of at least 91 people, with hundreds injured. The protests, which began last month, have escalated dramatically as crowds gather to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. This unrest is shaping up to be one of the most serious challenges in her 20-year tenure.

The escalating violence has shocked the nation and includes a toll of at least 13 police officers. The death count surpasses the 67 reported on July 19, when students protested against government job quotas. The government’s response has been severe, with the declaration of an indefinite nationwide curfew starting Sunday evening.

Alongside the curfew, the government announced a three-day holiday in hopes of quelling the unrest. However, many are criticizing the shutdown of internet services as a move to stifle communication among the protesters and limit information flow to the outside world.

Sheikh Hasina, who has faced previous challenges but has now reached a critical point with peaceful protesters being labeled as ‘terrorists,’ made an appeal to the citizens to help suppress the chaos. However, even with her calls, violence continues, with police stations becoming targets and fatalities mounting in various districts.

In the capital, Dhaka, businesses have closed, public transportation has ground to a halt, and residents are on edge. The Indian government has advised its citizens against traveling to Bangladesh given the unpredictable situation.

The unrest has also reached the medical community; doctors reported vandalism at hospitals and ambulances being torched. In Ashulia, a township near Dhaka, several garment factories were set on fire amid continued protests.

The government has previously resorted to cutting off high-speed internet during protests, an act many see as an attempt to silence dissent. They threaten telecom companies with revoked licenses if they do not comply.

This current wave of protests echoes issues seen in the past but is marked by its intensity and the sheer number of participants. Discontent over corruption and economic struggles fuels the agitation, which had originally started over student job quotas.

Political observers suggest that Sheikh Hasina’s government faces challenges ahead, as her appeals for calm do not seem to sway the public’s anger. The military, which has so far stayed clear of frontline involvement, has been called to maintain order as violence escalates.

Despite the government’s attempts, the protests appear to be growing, with a diversity of participants rallying together in opposition to her rule, highlighting a movement that transcends demographics and political affiliations.