Dhaka, Bangladesh – The unrest in Bangladesh has claimed at least 91 lives, including police personnel, in clashes that erupted between protesters, law-enforcement agencies, and ruling party-backed organisations across 18 districts on Sunday.
The casualties include six in Dhaka city and district, 22 in Sirajganj, six each in Feni and Narsingdi, and four each in Magura, Lakshmipur, and Rangpur. Additionally, three people were killed in each of Pabna, Kishoreganj, Munshiganj, Sherpur, Sylhet, and Bogura, with two deaths reported in Cumilla and one each in Jaipurhat, Barishal, Bhola, and Habiganj districts.
The deaths have been confirmed by district administrations, police, hospital officials, and local government representatives. In Sirajganj, a total of 22 people, including 13 police officers, died following attacks on police stations and clashes in multiple locations. Sirajganj Deputy Commissioner Mir Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman reported nine deaths in Sadar upazila and six deaths among Awami League activists in Rayganj Upazila. Assistant Inspector General of Police Enamul Haque Sagar added that 13 police officers were killed when Enayetpur police station was attacked around noon.
In Feni, six individuals, including students Sagor, 18, and Ishtiak Ahmed Shrabon, 19, were killed during violent confrontations between protesters and police, as reported by New Age Correspondent.
Amidst the growing violence, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has urged the public to take a firm stance against the unrest. In a statement following a meeting of the National Committee on Security Affairs (NCSA), she condemned the violence and labelled those responsible as “terrorists.” The meeting was attended by key ministers, security officials, and senior government representatives, including the Cabinet Secretary, Chiefs of the three services, and the Inspector General of Police.
The violence has also led to significant disruptions across the country. At least five factories, including garment, textile, and plastic facilities, were set on fire in the Ashulia and Sreepur areas. Rozina Islam from the Central Control Room of the Fire Service and Civil Defence confirmed that Sinha Textile, Beximco Synthetics, a warehouse of Ha-Meem Group’s scrapped clothing items (jhoot), and Bengal Plastic at Zirani in Ashulia were targeted. Another spinning mill was reported on fire in Sreepur. Fortunately, no deaths or injuries have been reported from these fires.
The unrest has led to widespread shutdowns, with most garment factories closing after lunch yesterday due to safety concerns. The Bangladesh Textile Mills Association has announced a three-day closure of all its member mills, in line with the government’s decision for general holidays. Additionally, a curfew has been imposed starting at 6 pm today, and mobile internet services have been suspended, with social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp reportedly inaccessible.
Banks and financial institutions will be closed for three days beginning tomorrow. The closure aligns with the general holidays and curfew announced by the government. The situation remains tense as the country struggles to manage the escalating violence and disruptions.
