The Chhattisgarh

Tag: Bangladesh protests

  • Bangladesh Army Urges Peace Amid Deadly Violence In Hilly Regions | world news

    Amidst tensions and violence in Bangladesh’s hilly regions, which claimed four lives, the Bangladesh Army has issued an appeal to the public, urging them to maintain peace and harmony. “The ongoing tension may turn into violent riots in the three hill districts. Leading individuals are urgently requested to assist the law enforcement agencies in de-escalating the ongoing tension,” the Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) said in a statement.

    “Necessary legal action will be taken after identifying the real culprits by conducting a proper investigation. The people are specially requested to maintain peace and harmony in the three hill districts,” it said.

    Notably, Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) has long history of conflicts. In 1997, the Bangladesh government signed a peace accord with Parbatta Chattagram Jana Sanghatti Samiti, the largest tribal group that controlled the Santibahini, a militia. After the accord, some smaller groups including United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF) rejected it.

    On September18, one Md. Mamun (30), the father of deceased Noor Nabi, was killed in a mass thrashing by some people in Khagrachari district headquarters over the theft of a motorcycle, the statement said.

    Later, Sadar police station recovered the body of the deceased and handed it over to the family after post-mortem, the statement added.

    “A protest march was taken out from Dighinala College on the next day (September 19) afternoon based on this incident. While the procession was crossing Boalkhali Bazar in Dighinala, some terrorists of UPDF (original) attacked the procession and fired 20-30 rounds. In view of this, the angry mob set fire to some shops in Boalkhali Bazar,” the statement said.

    “It is to be noted that six people from both sides were injured during the clash and they were sent to Dighinala Upazilla Health Complex and Khagrachari Sadar Hospitals for treatment,” the statement said.

    “Later, army patrols reached the spot and brought the situation under control and put out the fire with the help of fire brigade and local people. Due to the above incident, tension spread in Khagrachari district headquarters, Dighinala, Panchari and surrounding areas. At the same time, some self-interested circles spread rumors through social media and gradually made the situation more exciting,” the statement said.

    “UPDF (Original) terrorists fired on Army patrol team members in Khagrachari town while shifting unconscious patient and army retaliated in self-defense. It is said that three people were killed and some were injured in the incident,” the statement added.

  • Bangladesh Protests: Setu Bhaban In Dhaka Set Ablaze; Crores worth of vehicles destroyed. world news

    Officials at Bangladesh’s Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, which is housed in the Setu Bhaban in Dhaka’s Mohakhali are fearful of entering the building that was targeted and suffered severe damages during the recent student-led protests in the country.

    This ministry, led by an Awami League minister, has been at the center of controversy, facing intense backlash during the quota demonstrations. During the protests, angry students set fire to the ministry building and vandalized government property and vehicles parked inside its premises.

    An estimated Taka 65 crore worth of vehicles were reduced to ashes, including 57 cars ranging from SUVs and pickup trucks to minibuses and motorcycles, all of which were used for ministry operations and official engagements. The incident has left the Setu Bhavan building a charred and uninhabitable structure.

    Ministry officials that ANI spoke to say they are now fearful of entering the building due to its damaged state. They have been forced to carry out their duties outside, operating from makeshift setups. The protest, which began as a demonstration against the government’s quota system, quickly escalated into a larger movement, raising serious concerns about the safety and stability of government institutions in the capital.

    Leading Bangladesh publication Prothom Alo had in a July 27 report stated that “several hundred of miscreants stormed into the Setu Bhaban on July 18 and vandalized it badly, set it on fire, and looted government property from the bhaban.” “They also vandalized many vehicles, motorbikes, ransacked different sheds and rooms and later set those on fire and beat many employees of the Setu Bhaban black and blue” the publication reported.

    The vandalism was part of protests led by students who were demonstrating certain quotas in government jobs. Sheikh Hasina left the country for New Delhi on August 5 after stepping down as Prime Minister, An interim government in Bangladesh, led by Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus, was sworn in on Thursday.

  • Bangladesh: Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus Swears-In As Chief Advisor Of Interim Government | world news

    New Delhi: Nobel laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus on Thursday pledged to establish a government that guarantees safety for its citizens of Bangladesh. He returned from Paris to take the oath as the head of the interim government after Sheikh Hasina’s removal.

    Yunus, an 84-year-old, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his groundbreaking work in microlending, was appointed head of the interim government after President Mohammed Shahabuddin dissolved parliament on Tuesday after Hasina resigned as Prime Minister post.

    He was attending the Olympic Games in Paris and returned to Bangladesh via Dubai. An Emirates flight (EK-582) carrying Yunus landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 2:10 pm local time.

    Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman, senior officials, student leaders and civil society members went to welcome him at the airport.

    While attending a press conference at the airport, Yunus expressed his gratitude to the youth who played a crucial role in making the protest against Hasina.

    “We have got independence for the second time. We have to protect this independence,” he said, PTI reported.

    “The nation is in your hands now. Now you have to rebuild it as per your aspirations. You have to use your creativity to build the country. You have earned independence for the country,” he added.

    “We have to form a government which assures safety to its citizens,” he said.

    He also asked the citizens to save the country from the chaos created during the violent protests.

    “Bangladesh can be a very beautiful country and we can make it one,” further added. Yunus also paid tribute to Abu Sayed, one of the first victims of police gunfire during the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.

  • Massive Prison Break In Bangladesh; Over 500 Inmates Escape, Some Armed | world news

    In the wake of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation, a massive prison break occurred at Sherpur Jail in Bangladesh, with at least 518 inmates escaping amid escalating chaos on Monday afternoon. According to Zee News TV, the escaped prisoners are reportedly armed. The facility, situated approximately 100 kilometers from the India-Bangladesh border, has prompted heightened security measures in India.

    The Border Security Force (BSF) has increased its deployment along the border to prevent any potential spillover. Authorities have identified 20 of the escapees as having possible terror affiliations.

    This is a developing story.

  • 72 Killed In Anti-Government Protests Accross Bangladesh, PM Hasina Labels Protesters As ‘Terrorists’ |

    A series of violent confrontations erupted in Bangladesh on Sunday between demonstrators calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and supporters of the ruling party. The protests, part of a non-cooperation movement against a government employment quota system, turned deadly with at least 72 fatalities, including 14 police officers, and numerous injuries reported. The violence began in the morning during a protest organized by Students Against Discrimination, who demand the government’s resignation. They were met with resistance from Awami League, Chhatra League, and Jubo League supporters.

    The leading Bengali newspaper Prothom Alo has reported that the clashes have resulted in 72 deaths nationwide. The police headquarters confirmed the death of 14 officers, with 13 at Sirajganj’s Enayetpur police station and one at Comilla’s Elliotganj.

    In response to the escalating violence, the Home Ministry has declared an indefinite nationwide curfew starting at 6 pm on Sunday. Additionally, a government directive has led to the suspension of Meta platforms including Facebook, Messenger, WhatsApp, and Instagram, alongside a shutdown of 4G mobile internet services.

    Prime Minister Hasina has condemned the protestors, labeling them as terrorists rather than students, and has urged the public to firmly counteract their actions. A security meeting was convened by Hasina at Ganabhaban, attended by military and security leaders, as the unrest spread to more regions.

    In light of the ongoing violent protests across the nation, the government has declared a three-day general holiday for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. According to the paper, at least five people were slain in Feni, out of which 22 were identified.

    These people included 13 police officers in Sirajganj, four in Kishoreganj, four in Dhaka, four in Bogura, three in Munshiganj, four in Magura, three in Bhola, four in Rangpur, three in Pabna, four in Sylhet, three in Cumilla, one in Joypurhat, one in Habiganj, and one in Barisal. A clash between supporters of the ruling party and protesters in Narsingdi resulted in the deaths of six Awami League leaders and activists and the injuries of several others, as reported by the paper.

    Protesters in the capital took four people’s bodies from the Dhaka Medical College Hospital. The protesters carried the four victims’ bodies to the Central Shaheed Minar and chanted anti-government slogans, according to reports.

    According to Dhaka Medical College Hospital sources, 56 people with bullet injuries were transported to the hospital from Shahbagh, Shanir Akhra, Nayabazar, Dhanmondi, Science Laboratory, Paltan, Press Club, and Munshigan.

  • Bangladesh Quota Protest: PM Hasina Imposes Nationwide Curfew; 245 Indians cross over border to Meghalaya. Top Developments | India News

    Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced a nationwide curfew on Friday following the deadly clashes over the allocation of government jobs. The troops have been stationed in large numbers to restore law and order across the country. As per reports, at least 105 people have been killed so far and over 1,500 have been injured in the protests that took a bloody turn this week. By 8 pm on Friday, a total of 245 Indians, among them 125 students, had returned to India.


    Protesters are calling for the abolition of a quota system that allocates up to 30% of government jobs to relatives of veterans from Bangladesh’s 1971 war of independence against Pakistan.



    A senior official from the home department reported that 363 individuals entered Meghalaya via the Dawki Integrated Check Post, including 204 Indians, 158 Nepalese, and one person from Bhutan. The total number of people taking refuge in the state increased to over 670.


    Police and security officials used live ammunition and tear gas on protesters in Dhaka on Friday, while also imposing a ban on all gatherings in the capital.


    The demonstrators believe the system is unfair and mostly helps supporters of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League party, which led the independence movement. They want it changed to a system based on merit.



    The protests, which started weeks ago, escalated significantly this week, presenting the biggest challenge to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina since she secured her fourth consecutive term in January’s elections. These polls were boycotted by major opposition groups.


    According to an Associated Press’ reporter, border guard officials were firing at a crowd of over 1000 protesters as they gathered outside the national television broadcaster’s office and set the building on fire.


    The Indian High Commission in Dhaka is working with local Bangladeshi authorities to ensure the safety of students wishing to travel to India. The mission, along with the BSF and the Bureau of Immigration, is also assisting Indian students returning from Bangladesh. “The High Commission of India in Dhaka is coordinating with local authorities in Bangladesh to provide adequate security to students who are keen on traveling to India,” sources told ANI.


    To assist the return of Indian citizens and students from Bangladesh, the Indian government has designated three border crossings: Benapole-Petrapole, Gede-Darshana, and Akhaura-Agartala – to remain open for travel.


    “We have approximately 8,500 students and about 15,000 Indian nationals residing in the country,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, while assuring Indian citizens’ safety.