Syed Shemul Parvez :
In a harrowing escalation of violence across the country, at least 100 people have been killed and thousands more injured as clashes erupted between law enforcement, ruling party activists, and protesters.
The turmoil unfolded until 9 p.m. on Sunday, triggered by a nationwide student-led anti-government movement demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The unprecedented unrest began on the first day of a complete non-cooperation movement declared by the Students Against Discrimination. The ensuing violence has resulted in a staggering number of casualties nationwide.
According to police headquarters, 14 police officers have lost their lives in the violence, with 13 of those fatalities occurring at the Enayetpur police station in Sirajganj. Another officer was killed in a similar attack in Eliotganj, Cumilla.
The police revealed these grim figures in an afternoon statement on Sunday.
Rajshahi Range Police’s Additional Deputy Inspector General (Operations and Crime) Bijoy Basak reported to the media that an army team, along with other law enforcement personnel, arrived at the Enayetpur police station around 7:00 p.m. They discovered 11 dead bodies inside the station, while eight were found piled near a mosque and three in a nearby pond.
Several policemen remain unaccounted for. In Dhaka, the violence continued as the ruling Awami League launched attacks on protesters, resulting in at least seven deaths.
Protesters subsequently removed four bodies from the main gate of Dhaka Medical College Hospital at around 5:30 p.m., parading them to Central Shaheed Minar and then towards Shahbagh while chanting various slogans.
In Feni, clashes between Awami League supporters and protesters resulted in eight deaths. Asif Iqbal, the resident medical officer of Feni Sadar Hospital, confirmed the fatalities, noting that all victims were between 17 and 25 years old.
The violence erupted in the Mohipal area of the Dhaka-Chattogram highway after 2:00 p.m., with the bodies being transported to Feni General Hospital.
Narsingdi witnessed a brutal incident where six leaders and activists of the ruling Awami League were lynched after they fired on protesters in Madhabdi. The violence occurred around 1:30 p.m. near Pourasha Mosque.
The deceased include Delowar Hossain (Shahin), the chairman of Chardighaldi Union Parishad and brother of Sadar Upazila Chairman Anowar Hossain, and Moniruzzaman Bhuiyan, former president of the district Swecchasebak League. The bodies remained unattended as of the evening report.
Further violence in Bogura resulted in five deaths, while clashes in Pabna led to at least three fatalities. Pabna General Hospital’s Deputy Director Rafiqul Hasan confirmed the deaths, with over 50 others injured, 34 of whom sustained bullet wounds.
Munsiganj saw two construction workers killed and 30 others injured in a three-way clash involving protesters, police, and ruling party activists.
Superintendent of the District Hospital, Abu Hena Mohammad Jamal, confirmed the deaths, attributing them to bullet wounds.
Police, however, denied firing any bullets despite the area becoming a battleground following the detonation of improvised explosives.
As of the latest update, fatalities have also been reported in Kishoreganj, Sylhet, Magura, Rangpur, and Bagura, with additional deaths in Munshiganj, Bhola, and Pabna. These deaths occurred during violent confrontations between students, police, and ruling party forces.
In Dhaka, the situation remains tense as a clash between Sammilito Peshajibi Parishad and police left at least 100 people injured amidst the ongoing anti-discrimination movement.
The nation teeters on the edge as the violent discord continues, marking a grim chapter in the ongoing political crisis.