1-point demand: 60 killed as violent clashes spread in the country

1-point demand: 60 killed as violent clashes spread in the country

Dhaka, Aug 04 - At least 60 people were killed and over 600 injured in clashes between protesters, police and ruling party activists across the country amid the ongoing demonstration enforced by the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement to press home their one-point demand.

According to the reports reaching at UNB news desk, seven people died in Feni, six in Narsingdi district, thirteen in Sirajganj, seven in Dhaka, four in Rangpur districts, three each in Pabna, Bogura, Cumilla and Kishoreganj districts, two each in Munshiganj, Sylhet and Sherpur districts while one in Magura, Joypurhat, Bhola, Habiganj and Barishal districts.

Besides, over 600 people suffered injuries, including with bullets in clashes and attacks across the country.

In Dhaka, at least seven people died and over 100 were injured in clashes. 

Three of the deceased were identified as Tawhidul, 22, Obaidullah Siddique, 23, student of Habibullah Bahar College, Ramijuddon Habib Rup, student of Daffodil University .

There bodies were kept at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. 

Besides, a group of miscreants carried out attack on the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate court in the morning.

In Narsingdi, six Awami League leaders and activists were beaten to death by the protesters when they opened fire on the protesters in Madhabdi upazila.

During the clash, a number of vehicles, Awami league offices, police stations and other establishments were vandalised and set on fire in different parts of the country, including Chapainawabganj and Barishal,

Students and general people started demonstrations since the morning extending solidarity to student platform Anti-Discrimination Student Movement’s one -point demand for the Prime Minister’s resignation.

The platform also announced non-cooperation movement from a massive rally on Saturday, resulting in poor traffic on the roads since morning. Shopping malls and shops were also remained closed.

The situation turned violent when activists of ruling Awami league and its affiliates took to the streets to counter the protesters, said witnesses. 

Police also fired tear shells, sound grenades to disperse the protesters in many places, resulting in violent clashes that left many including students dead and injured.

Vandalism and arson attacks were reported from various parts of the country including Dhaka, Chattogram, Dinajpur, Sylhet, Khulna and Kushtia.

Amid escalating violence, the government has imposed curfew for an indefinite period from 6 pm on Sunday in the capital and some other parts of the country.

Curfew was slapped in Dhaka Metropolitan area and all divisional headquarters, city corporations, municipalities, industrial areas, district and upazila headquarters.

Besides, the government also announced a three-day general holiday for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday amid the escalation of the widespread violence across the country.

The High Court (HC) today dismissed the writ petition seeking order not to shoot protesters but gave some observations in this regard.

The HC bench of Justice Mustafa Zaman Islam and Justice SM Masud Hossain Dolon passed the order after hearing the petition.

The court in its observation said, all citizens have the right to participate in peaceful assemblies and emphasised that the police must follow legal directives.

The HC also directed the police to follow the Police Regulations of Bengal (PRB) strictly.