KATHMANDU: In Bangladesh, clashes between protestors, police, and activists from the ruling party seeking the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resulted in at least seven fatalities and several injuries on Sunday. The government had to shut down internet services as a result of the violence, which was a major increase from the boycotts and disturbances that dogged the January elections.
In the central district of Munsiganj, two construction workers were killed and 30 others injured in a clash involving protesters, police, and ruling party supporters. Authorities reported no police gunfire but described the scene as chaotic, with improvised explosives detonating.
In addition, there were violent outbursts in the northern Bogura area, where two more people were slain, and the northeastern Pabna district, where three people were killed and fifty injured. Protesters also attacked and vandalized the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical College Hospital in Dhaka, as student groups demanded the government's resignation.
The unrest follows previous protests against government job quotas, which led to the deaths of 150 people and thousands of injuries last month. Despite the Supreme Court's recent ruling against most quotas, protests have resumed, with accusations against the government of excessive force, which it denies. The government’s response included shutting down high-speed internet and restricting access to social media platforms.
