Over 100 dead in unrest in Bangladesh

Over 100 people have been killed in violent protests in Bangladesh. The government is now deploying the military and introducing curfews to put an end to the unrest.

» Published: July 19 2024

Over 100 dead in unrest in Bangladesh
Photo: Rajib Dhar/AP/TT

Over 100 people have been killed in violent protests in Bangladesh. The government is now deploying the military and imposing a curfew to put an end to the unrest.

The police in the capital Dhaka banned all demonstrations and public gatherings on Friday to try to quell the unrest. But it did not prevent further clashes between police and demonstrators in the 20-million-strong city, despite the government shutting down the internet.

Our protests will continue, says demonstrator Sarwar Tushar to the AFP news agency.

According to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's office, the government has decided to impose a curfew across the country and deploy the military to restore order.

Police gunfire

At least 52 people were killed in the capital on Friday, according to a hospital list obtained by AFP. Police gunfire is said to be responsible for half of the deaths this week, according to hospital sources.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk says the attacks on student protests are "shocking and unacceptable".

"There is a need for swift, impartial and thorough investigations into these attacks and those responsible for them," he says in a statement.

The police claim that demonstrators have vandalized and set fire to several buildings, including a TV station and several government and police buildings. A prison in the city of Narsingdi northeast of Dhaka was stormed on Friday and hundreds of prisoners were freed before the building was set on fire.

Opposition leader arrested

The police have also arrested Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed from the largest opposition party, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). He is accused of "hundreds of crimes", according to the police spokesperson, but no further details are given about the reasons for his arrest.

Students have been protesting for several weeks against a quota system for jobs in the public sector. The system favors, according to demonstrators, groups allied with 76-year-old Hasina, who has ruled the country since 2009 and won a new term in January after a disputed election process boycotted by the opposition.

At least 26 regions around the country have been affected by clashes between students and police.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Prosecutor Seeks Over Seven Years
2 MIN READ

Prosecutor Seeks Over Seven Years for Ex-Congressman Santos

Roman Battlefield Unearthed Beneath Vienna
2 MIN READ

Roman Battlefield Unearthed Beneath Vienna Football Pitch

First Bird Flu Case in
1 MIN READ

First Bird Flu Case in Mexico: Young Girl in Serious Condition

130,000-Year-Old Mammoth Calf Dissected for
1 MIN READ

130,000-Year-Old Mammoth Calf Dissected for Climate Insights

Arctic Sea Ice Hits Record
2 MIN READ

Arctic Sea Ice Hits Record Low, Losing Area Equal to England

Norwegian Astronaut Jannicke Mikkelsen Returns
1 MIN READ

Norwegian Astronaut Jannicke Mikkelsen Returns from Historic Space Journey

Iran Doubles Execution Rate in
1 MIN READ

Iran Doubles Execution Rate in Early 2023, Reports Show

Netanyahu Criticized for Firing Shin
2 MIN READ

Netanyahu Criticized for Firing Shin Bet Chief Over Testimony Dispute

Trump Introduces $5 Million Gold
1 MIN READ

Trump Introduces $5 Million Gold Card for Wealthy Immigrants

Death Toll Reaches 60 in
1 MIN READ

Death Toll Reaches 60 in North Macedonia Nightclub Fire

NATO Chief Rutte Avoids US
2 MIN READ

NATO Chief Rutte Avoids US Tariff Debate, Focuses on Defense

Rubio: Greenland Seeks Independence from
1 MIN READ

Rubio: Greenland Seeks Independence from Denmark, USA Ready to Partner

Paraglider Crash at Austrian Ski
1 MIN READ

Paraglider Crash at Austrian Ski Resort Injures Two Swedish Women

EU Commits 12 Billion Euros
1 MIN READ

EU Commits 12 Billion Euros to Boost Central Asia Ties

Bomb Explosion at Bolivian Gold
1 MIN READ

Bomb Explosion at Bolivian Gold Mine Kills Five in Cooperative Dispute

Israeli Strikes in Gaza Kill
1 MIN READ

Israeli Strikes in Gaza Kill at Least 30 as Ground Offensive Expands

Norwegian Royal Marius Borg Høiby
1 MIN READ

Norwegian Royal Marius Borg Høiby Declines Police Questioning Over Leak Fears

Trump Reshuffles Intelligence Chiefs After
2 MIN READ

Trump Reshuffles Intelligence Chiefs After Meeting with Activist Loomer

TikTok's Future in the US
3 MIN READ

TikTok's Future in the US Hangs in the Balance as Decision Looms

South Korea's Yoon Ousted After
2 MIN READ

South Korea's Yoon Ousted After Martial Law Controversy

Genre image
1 MIN READ

Norwegian Ship's Record Cocaine Haul Seized in South Korea

Putin's Envoy Sees Positive Shift
1 MIN READ

Putin's Envoy Sees Positive Shift in US-Russia Relations

Russian Drone Strike Kills 16
2 MIN READ

Russian Drone Strike Kills 16 in Zelensky's Hometown Kryvyi Rih

Israel Updates Music Festival Death
2 MIN READ

Israel Updates Music Festival Death Toll to 378 After Investigation

Two Dead in Norwegian Plane
1 MIN READ

Two Dead in Norwegian Plane Crash Near Bergen Lake

Pentagon Probes Use of Signal
1 MIN READ

Pentagon Probes Use of Signal App for Discussing Yemen Attack Plans

Genre image
1 MIN READ

Frederiksen to USA: Annexation Not an Option, Let's Strengthen Arctic Security

Seoul Braces for Verdict as
3 MIN READ

Seoul Braces for Verdict as South Korea Awaits Yoon's Fate

Myanmar Earthquake Death Toll Rises
2 MIN READ

Myanmar Earthquake Death Toll Rises as Aid Efforts Intensify

Trump Fires Key Security Officials
2 MIN READ

Trump Fires Key Security Officials After Oval Office Meeting

Serbian Students Bike 130 Miles
1 MIN READ

Serbian Students Bike 130 Miles to EU Parliament Seeking Support

Iranian Judge Linked to 1988
1 MIN READ

Iranian Judge Linked to 1988 Executions Dies at 70

UN Alarmed by Reports of
1 MIN READ

UN Alarmed by Reports of Civilian Executions in Sudan

Mother and Daughter Found Shot
1 MIN READ

Mother and Daughter Found Shot Dead in Norway; Suspect Also Dead

Elon Musk to Stay as
1 MIN READ

Elon Musk to Stay as Advisor to Trump, Confirms JD Vance

Israeli Legal Experts Call for
1 MIN READ

Israeli Legal Experts Call for War Crimes Probe into Gaza Attack

EU Parliament Approves Delay in
1 MIN READ

EU Parliament Approves Delay in Key Sustainability Rules

Denmark Stands Firm on Sovereignty
2 MIN READ

Denmark Stands Firm on Sovereignty in Talks with US

Modi's New Law Fuels Discrimination
1 MIN READ

Modi's New Law Fuels Discrimination Concerns in India

Israel Probes Deadly Ambulance Shooting
1 MIN READ

Israel Probes Deadly Ambulance Shooting in Gaza Strip