Dying toll climbs to 440 in Bangladesh protests; efforts by military to convey scenario underneath management

People collect on the entrance of the Parliament Building a day after the resignation of Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
| Photo Credit: Reuters

The loss of life toll within the anti-government protests in Bangladesh on Tuesday (August 6, 2024) climbed to 440, with 100 extra deaths reported after Sheikh Hasina fled the nation, in line with native media, whilst efforts have been on by the military to convey the scenario underneath management within the violence-hit nation.

Despite the excessive loss of life toll, there have been indicators of a return to normalcy on Tuesday (August 6, 2024), with police and military patrolling the streets, BDNews24.com information portal stated and added that faculties have been reopened after an extended interval of closure resulting from protests in opposition to Ms. Hasina over a controversial job quota system.

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The scenario in Dhaka was largely calm on Tuesday (August 6, 2024) after a day of unrest and an evening of rigidity. Buses and different public transport have been on the streets and merchants have been opening outlets. Government autos have been heading to workplaces. Many battery-run rickshaws plied the roads, it added.

Bengali language day by day Prothom Alo reported that at the least 109 folks have been killed in clashes in numerous elements of the nation, together with Dhaka, through the anti-discrimination pupil motion on Monday (August 5, 2024).

The newspaper earlier reported the loss of life of 98 folks until 12 p.m. on Sunday (August 4, 2024). Another 16 deaths have been reported within the night time. The whole loss of life toll stood at 114 on Sunday (August 4, 2024).

“With this, the total death toll stood at 440 in 21 days from July 16 to yesterday,” the paper said.

The clashes between protesters demanding Hasina’s resignation over the quota system in government jobs and the ruling Awami League supporters in different parts of Bangladesh erupted on Sunday (August 4, 2024) days after more than 200 people were killed in violent clashes between police and mostly student protesters in July.

Prothom Alo said that 37 bodies were brought to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital between 11 am and 8 pm on Monday (August 5, 2024).

Citing hospital sources, it said 500 people were brought to the hospital with various injuries, including bullet injuries, on Monday (August 5, 2024).

As the news of Ms. Hasina’s departure spread on Monday (August 5, 2024), hundreds of people broke into her residence, vandalising and looting the interiors, providing dramatic expression to the anti-government protests.

Sudha Sadan and other establishments attacked

Ms. Hasina’s private residence Sudha Sadan and other establishments were attacked, vandalised and set on fire in the capital. The residences and business establishments of ministers, party MPs and leaders of Hasina’s Awami League government were also attacked in Dhaka and outside Dhaka.

The Dhaka Tribune newspaper reported that at least 18 people were killed in Savar and Dhamrai areas, on the outskirts of the capital, after clashes broke out between police and miscreants on Monday (August 5, 2024).

Ten people were killed in the capital’s Uttara on Monday (August 5, 2024) after individuals in civilian clothes reportedly opened fire on protesters.

“Six people were killed in Habiganj, eight in Jessore, three in Khulna, three in Barisal, 11 in Lakshmipur, six in Kushtia, three in Satkhira and six in Sreepur of Gazipur,” the paper said.

“At least 24 people were burnt alive last night in a hotel owned by a leader of Awami League of in western Joshor district,” hospital sources said.

Late Monday (August 5, 2024) night, President Mohammed Shahabuddin asked all the political parties to normalise the law and order situation in the country and directed the armed forces to take stern measures to protect the lives and properties of the people and state assets.

The educational institutions were reopened

The educational institutions were reopened on Tuesday (August 6, 2024) following a long period of closure due to violence surrounding the student movement. However, the educational institutions in Dhaka saw low attendance, the Dhaka Tribune newspaper reported.

“The establishment is open, and a few women have come, however attendance is low. Attendance will improve in a few days,” Md Rahamot Ullah, principal of Kisholoy Girls’ School and College in the Mohammadpur area of the capital, was quoted as saying by the paper.

On the first day after the fall of Ms. Hasina’s government, a tense atmosphere prevailed at the Secretariat on Tuesday (August 6, 2024), the paper reported.

The entry passes to the Secretariat have been cancelled. Only a small variety of law enforcement officials have been seen on obligation on the predominant gate, accompanied by military personnel. Army members have been additionally seen on obligation alongside law enforcement officials on the Home Ministry workplace.

Attendance of officers and workers within the ministry workplaces was considerably low, and ministers and Members of Parliament have been notably absent. Those who did come to work have been stuffed with worry and anxiousness, it added.

Meanwhile, banners and festoons associated to the mournful month of August have been eliminated, and footage of Ms. Hasina have been taken down from numerous workplaces. Trouble had been steadily escalating for the reason that authorities’s announcement of the quota system in June this 12 months.