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An indefinite countrywide curfew has been imposed in Bangladesh since 6 pm on Sunday. The mobile operators were ordered to shut down 4G mobile internet and Meta platforms Facebook, Messenger, WhatsApp and Instagram have also been shutdown read more
 "10 top updates on anti-Hasina agitation")
Police use tear gas to disperse student protestors in Bogura on August 4, 2024. Source: AFP.
At least 99 people, including 14 policemen, have been killed in a single day in Bangladesh. No, not because of any calamity or accident, but in violent protests that erupted across one of India’s neighbouring countries on Sunday.
Protesters, on Sunday, blocked major highways, clashed with police and confronted groups that were in favour of the ruling Awami League. Police resorted to tear gas and used stun grenades to disperse tens of thousands of people protesting against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina-led Bangladesh government.
Bangladesh protests: 10 major updates
1 - The protests that rocked Bangladesh again in less than a month’s time are bigger than what it was in July. Sunday (August 4) was the first day of the non-cooperation movement called by Students Against Discrimination (SAD) over a government jobs quota system in the country.
2 - The protests in Bangladesh are being carried out by students who are angry over the reservation system in government jobs wherein 30 per cent of jobs are reserved for the families of veterans who fought in Bangladesh’s war of independence against Pakistan in 1971.
3 - The situation escalated on Sunday after Hasina’s refusal to meet the students’ demands who cited the ongoing court proceedings. Now, the protesters have called for the ouster of PM Hasina and the Awami League party from the government. Some even were heard chanting “down with autocrat."
4 - Hasina, meanwhile, called the protesters as terrorists and called out the unrest as “sabotaged”. “Those who are carrying out violence are not students but terrorists who are out to destabilize the nation,” a report by Reuters quoted the Bangladesh PM as saying. She also said, “I appeal to our countrymen to suppress these terrorists with a strong hand."
5 - As per local officials in Bangladesh, Sunday’s protests were joined by unidentified people and activists of rightwing Islami Shashontantra Andolon, which erected barricades on several major highways and within the capital city of Dhaka. They also attacked police stations and boxes, ruling party offices and residences of their leaders as well as burnt several vehicles.
6 - Unlike the anti-government clashes in the previous month, which were primarily focused in Dhaka (Bangladesh’s capital) and its outskirts, the violence on Sunday (August 4) spread across several cities. Vast crowds of protesters, with many wielding sticks, packed into Dhaka’s central Shahbagh Square. Also, street battles were witnessed in multiple sites as well as in other key cities.
7 - With the situation remaining out of control, Bangladesh’s home ministry imposed a curfew from 6 pm on Sunday onwards for an indefinite period.
8 - The Bangladesh administration has also announced a three day general holiday on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in hope of bringing back peace and stability in the country.
9 - Bangladesh is also now cut off from the world as the internet in the country has been shut. Also, social media platforms including Meta-owned Facebook, Messenger, WhatsApp and Instagram have been shutdown for users in the country. Local media reports said that the mobile operators were ordered to shut down 4G mobile internet in Bangladesh.
10 - With protest in Bangladesh intensifying, India has issued advisory for its nationals and warned them from travelling to the neighbouring country. Also, Indian citizens in Bangladesh have been asked to exercise extreme caution.
“In view of ongoing developments. Indian nationals are strongly advised against travelling to Bangladesh till further notice. All Indian nationals presently in Bangladesh are advised to exercise extreme caution, restrict their movements and remain in contact with the High Commission of India in Dhaka,” an advisory by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated.
Advisory for Bangladesh:https://t.co/mKs1auhnlK pic.twitter.com/m5c5Y0Bn8b
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) August 4, 2024Also Read: Is this Bangladesh’s ‘Arab Spring’? 99 killed in protests as Hasina faces toughest challenge
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