Around 100 people, including 14 policemen, were killed and hundreds injured on Sunday as deadly clashes erupted across Bangladesh between protesters demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and supporters of her ruling party.
Bangladesh Unrest: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has advisory Indian nationals in Bangladesh to exercise “extreme caution” in wake of the deadly anti-government protests which left nearly 100 people, including 14 policemen, dead in the neighbouring country on Sunday.
In an advisory issued Sunday, the MEA has also “strongly” advised Indians against travelling to Bangladesh till further notice.
“In view of ongoing developments, Indian nationals are strongly advised against travelling to Bangladesh till further notice,” it said.
The ministry has also issued emergency helpline numbers for Indian nationals in Bangladesh and advised them to stay in touch with High Commission of India in Dhaka.
“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 through their emergency phone numbers – +8801958383679, +8801958383680, +8801937400591,” the MEA advisory stated.
Bangladesh unrest, nearly 100 dead
Around 100 people, including 14 policemen, were killed and hundreds injured on Sunday as deadly clashes erupted across Bangladesh between protesters demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and supporters of her ruling party, prompting authorities to snap mobile internet services and enforce a nationwide curfew for an indefinite period.
The clashes broke out Sunday morning when protesters attending the non-cooperation programme under the banner of the Students Against Discrimination with the one-point demand of the government’s resignation over a job quota system faced opposition from the supporters of the Awami League, Chhatra League, and Jubo League activists.
At least 97 people have been killed in clashes, shootings and counter-chases across the country surrounding the non-cooperation program, leading Bengali-language newspaper Prothom Alo reported.
According to the police headquarters, 14 policemen have been killed across the country. Of them, 13 were killed in Sirajganj’s Enayetpur police station. One person was killed in Comilla’s Elliotganj, the paper said.
More than 300 policemen were injured, it added.
Fresh wave of protests
The fresh round of clashes erupted days after at least 200 people were killed in violent clashes between the police and student protesters demanding an end to the controversial quota system that reserved 30 percent of government jobs for relatives of veterans who fought in Bangladesh’s War of Independence in 1971.
Since then, more than 11,000 people have been arrested.
Officials claimed that 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.
The protesters attacked the police stations and boxes, ruling party offices and residences of their leaders and burnt several vehicles, they added.
(With PTI inputs)