Bangladesh is engulfed in widespread protests as students and demonstrators reject an olive branch extended by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina following deadly clashes over civil service hiring rules. The unrest, marked by violence and escalating tensions, has intensified despite government efforts to quell dissent.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in a televised address, condemned the deaths of protesters during demonstrations against civil service hiring rules. She promised justice for the victims, irrespective of their political affiliations, and expressed regret over the violence. However, her words failed to appease Students Against Discrimination, the leading group behind the protests, which dismissed her statements as insincere. Asif Mahmud, one of the protest coordinators, criticized Hasina’s address for not acknowledging alleged violence by ruling party activists. The protests, demanding an end to the quota system favoring ruling party members in government jobs, have resulted in significant casualties. Police confirmed the death of a seventh protester due to rubber bullets, with over 500 others injured in clashes nationwide. The situation escalated further as protesters clashed with riot police using tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse crowds. Internet shutdowns, including a block on Facebook, further exacerbated tensions by limiting communication channels for protesters. Amnesty International criticized Bangladeshi security forces for allegedly using unlawful force against demonstrators, citing video evidence of excessive tactics during recent clashes. Despite the government’s efforts to impose order through school and university closures, as well as deployment of security measures, protests persisted. Overnight clashes in Dhaka saw protesters setting fire to a toll booth, prompting police intervention to disperse the crowd.
As Bangladesh grapples with the fallout from ongoing protests, the standoff between demonstrators and authorities underscores deep-seated grievances over fairness in civil service employment. Despite Prime Minister Hasina’s pledge for justice and condemnation of violence, the protests show no signs of abating. The situation remains fluid, with both sides entrenched in their positions, highlighting a critical challenge for Bangladesh’s leadership to address public discontent and restore calm amidst escalating tensions.
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