Last updated on August 29th, 2024 at 03:32 pm
Dacca Violence continued to spread through chaos in Bangladesh since the sudden resignation and exit of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, this Monday. More than 100 people died, and severely injured, this has caused extensive damage to life and property. The situation this morning in the capital remained stabilizing.
Dhaka Situation:
A large measure of peace prevailed in Dhaka this morning after yesterday’s day of chaos and last night’s tension. Public transports, including buses and rickshaws, started plying their vehicles; traders started reopening their shops. Government vehicles were seen heading to the offices, bdnews24.com reports.
Violence and Vandalism:
Within hours of the announcement of Hasina’s departure on Monday, hundreds of protesters barged into her residence called Sudha Sadan and vandalized the interior. Likewise, residences and business establishments belonging to ministers, MPs and other leaders of Hasina’s Awami League government were attacked and torched in Dhaka and elsewhere in the country.
Casualties and Injuries:
At least 119 people have been reportedly killed in the violence, mainly through attacks on Hindu temples and massive looting, as locally reported. At least 109 people were killed in the incidents in different places of the country between July 16 and Monday, taking up the three-week toll to 440, according to Prothom Alo. The Dhaka Medical College Hospital received 37 bodies between 11 am and 8 pm on Monday while it treated some 500 people suffering from different injuries including bullets.
At least 18 people were killed across the country, according to media reports from Dhaka. Ten people were killed in Uttara area of the capital by unidentified people in civilian attires when they reportedly opened fire and in some cases threw crude bombs at hawker-protesters. Other casualties were also reported in Habiganj, Jessore, Khulna, Barisal, Lakshmipur, Kushtia, Satkhira and Sreepur of Gazipur.
Gov’t Reaction:
Late this Monday evening, President Mohammed Shahabuddin called upon all political parties to restore peace and order and asked the defense forces to take extreme precautions for saving lives, property, and state assets. Schools and colleges across the country opened Tuesday for the first time in weeks after violence linked to the student agitation, though government figures suggested attendance was still sparse in the capital.
Background and Escalation:
Violence mounted since the quota system was announced by the government in June, pitting protesters asking Hasina to resign against supporters of the ruling Awami League. Police and mainly student protesters then clashed violently in the days leading up to Hasina’s resignation, killing over 200 people.
While Bangladesh is still trying to grapple with the post-Hasina resignation, attentions have again been brought to how peace and stability can be returned to Bangladesh and the underlying factors that have brought the recent violence.