Bangladesh: 18 killed as protesters and ruling party supporters clash

At least 18 people were killed and dozens injured on Sunday in fierce clashes between protestors and the ruling Awami League supporters in Bangladesh as the protests over a government jobs quota continued with demands for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas resignationThe fresh round of clashes erupted days after over 200 people were killed in violent clashes between the police and mostly student protesters demanding an end to the controversial quota system that reserved 30 per cent of government jobs for relatives of veterans who fought in Bangladeshs War of Independence in 1971The clashes broke out this morning when protesters attending a noncooperation programme to demand the governments resignation faced opposition from the supporters of the Awami League Chhatra League and Jubo League activistsAt least 18 people were killed and numerous others injured in a series of deadly clashes that broke out in several parts of the country centring the noncooperation movement by the banner of AntiDiscrimination Student Movement the Dhaka Tribune newspaper reportedThe Home Ministry decided to impose an indefinite countrywide curfew from 6 pm on SundayMeanwhile Prime Minister Hasina said that those engaging in sabotage across Bangladesh in the name of protest are not students but terrorists and asked people to suppress them with a firm handHasina called a meeting of the National Committee on Security Affairs at Ganabhaban the paper reported citing sources from the Prime Ministers Office PMOThose engaging in sabotage in the name of protest across the country are not students but terrorists she saidI appeal to the countrymen to suppress these terrorists with a firm hand she saidThe meeting was attended by the chiefs of the Army Navy Air Force police RAB BGB and other top security officersThe meeting came as renewed violence spread to several parts of the countryIn Rangpur four Awami League supporters were killed and over 100 people injured while two people were killed each in Bogra and Magura where a Chhatra Dal leader was among the dead the paper addedIn Sirajganj at least four people were killed and many injured in a series of clashes between protesters Awami League activists and police it saidIn Comilla a Jubo Dal activist was killed and 15 people including three children were injured during clashes between Awami League and protesters the paper saidMost of the shops and malls in Dhaka were closed now amid the protestHundreds of students and professionals had gathered at Dhakas Shahbagh blocking traffic on all sidesThe protesters under the banner of the AntiDiscrimination Students Movement chanted slogans calling for Prime Minister Hasinas resignation and justice for those killed in the recent violence surrounding the quota reform protests Bdnews24 news portal reportedProtesters also gathered at the Science Lab intersection of the capital on the first day of the noncooperation movement They chanted antigovernment slogansAccording to the Daily Star newspaper several vehicles at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University BSMMU were torched on Sunday by unidentified peoplePeople carrying sticks were seen vandalising private cars ambulances motorcycles and buses on the hospital premises triggering fear among the patients their attendants doctors and staff the paper saidProtesters have dismissed Hasinas invitation for dialogue aimed at quelling escalating violence and consolidated their demands into a unified call for the governments resignationProtest coordinators have called on students from schools colleges universities private universities and madrasas as well as workers professionals political activists and other public members to participate in the protestsOn Saturday while a large students rally in Dhaka to announce their demand for a singlepoint agenda proceeded without incident clashes erupted in various other parts of the countryA trader was killed and at least 20 others were injured in these incidentsThere have been reports of vandalism and arson attacks on police vehicles and government buildings in multiple locationsIn Chattogram the residences of Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel and Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Rezaul Karim Chowdhury as well as the office of AL MP Md Mohiuddin Bachchu were attackedIn an apparent retaliation the homes of several Opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party BNP leaders including Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury were targetedThe BNP and its allies along with numerous political professional and cultural groups have thrown their support behind the studentled movement that had been launched to demand reforms to quotas reserved for government jobsIn response the Awami League has also planned a series of demonstrations on Sunday including wardlevel sitins and processions heightening public concern amid the faceoff between the two campsPrime Minister Hasina offered to sit for talks on Saturday with the coordinators of the AntiDiscrimination Student MovementThe doors of the Ganabhaban are open she said I want to sit with the quota protesters I want to hear what they have to say I do not want clashesHowever the movements coordinators rejected the proposalLater Hasina called an emergency meeting with university vicechancellors and college principalsThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever