The Bangladesh government today ordered a complete Internet shutdown as protesters asked the general public to join a ‘Long March to Dhaka’. This came a day after at least 101 people died in fierce clashes between demonstrators demanding Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation and supporters of the ruling Awami League in different parts of the country.
The clashes broke out on Sunday morning, when protesters attending the non-cooperation programme under the banner of ‘Students Against Discrimination’ — with a one-point demand of Sheikh Hasina’s resignation over a job quota system — faced opposition from the supporters of Awami League, Chhatra League, and Jubo League.
At least 101 people, including 14 policemen, were killed in clashes on Sunday, reported the leading Bengali-language newspaper Prothom Alo.
The violence forced the authorities to cut off mobile Internet and enforce a nationwide curfew for an indefinite period.
The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement has rescheduled its ‘Long March to Dhaka’ to be held today, a day earlier than initially planned. The decision was taken during an urgent meeting amid growing concerns in the country, said Asif Mahmud, a coordinator of the movement, in a press release issued last night.
“In an urgent decision to review the situation, our ‘March to Dhaka’ programme has been changed from August 6 to August 5. In other words, we are calling on students from all over the country to travel to Dhaka tomorrow (Monday),” he said.
“The final battle has come. It is time to make the final signature of this student citizen uprising. Come to Dhaka to be a part of history. Students will create a new Bangladesh,” Asif added, asking the general public to join it.
The Awami League’s planned mourning procession today was cancelled due to a curfew. There was thin traffic on roads in various areas in the capital this morning.
Some students from various educational institutions gathered at Dhaka Central Shaheed Minar before and after 10am to participate in the ‘March to Dhaka’ programme, prompting the police to fire tear gas shells to disperse them. All students and parents were requested to return home safely.
