Protests Turn Deadly: 135 Killed as Bangladesh Faces Political Crisis

At least 135 people were killed in Bangladesh on Monday during widespread unrest marked by police shootings, mob beatings, and arson, according to the Dhaka Tribune. The country announced that clashes between demonstrators and members of the Awami League claimed the lives of at least 96 people in police firings.

After fighting broke out between police and miscreants on Monday, at least 18 people were killed on the outskirts of the capital in the Savar and Dhamrai regions. Additionally, 50 more individuals were injured as police opened fire with tear gas and bullets. Multiple journalists were also among those shot, according to the Dhaka Tribune.

In the capital’s Uttara on Monday afternoon, at least 10 people were killed, and many others were injured after individuals in civilian clothes reportedly opened fire on protesters from the Uttara East police station. In response, hundreds of enraged people surrounded the police station and set it on fire.

As violence and unrest gripped Bangladesh, 37 bodies arrived at Dhaka Medical College Hospital from 11 am to 8 pm on Monday, as reported by local media, Prothom Alo. Additionally, the bullet-ridden bodies of three unidentified persons were brought to the hospital, with no information on where they were shot. Prothom Alo, citing hospital sources, reported that 500 people were brought in with various injuries, including gunshot wounds, and 70 of them were admitted.

Eyewitnesses reported that protestors attacked the Jatrabari police station in the afternoon. In Sreepur, Gazipur, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel opened fire on miscreants who had blocked two BGB trucks, shooting at least six people. The incident occurred around noon on Monday and involved about eighty BGB personnel.

People from all walks of life marched towards Chittagong, distributing sweets in celebration after reports surfaced that Sheikh Hasina had departed Bangladesh. A joyous procession began at 3 pm (local time), spreading through Muradpur, Agrabad, Dewanhat, Chowkbazar, GEC, Sholshahar, Kazir Dewri, Jamalkhan, Bahaddarhat, and every part of the city.

Bangladesh is facing a fluid political situation with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigning from her post amid mounting protests, which initially began with students demanding an end to the quota system for government jobs but evolved into broader anti-government demonstrations. Hasina arrived in India on Monday evening after tendering her resignation.

It is unclear whether the Bangladeshi Prime Minister will stay in Delhi or move to another location, with some media outlets in Bangladesh speculating that she may proceed to London. Meanwhile, in Dhaka, leaders of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement have proposed an interim government led by Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus to address the ongoing challenges.

This announcement was made in a video message released early Tuesday by key student leaders Nahid Islam, Asif Mahmud, and Abu Bakar Mazumdar. President Mohammed Shahabuddin gave his approval on Monday night to form an interim government to run the country. Earlier, Nahid had announced that an outline for an interim government would be formulated within the next 24 hours.

(With ANI Inputs)

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