The opposition BNP and Islamic organizations are ready for street agitations, and the governing Awami League party is also planning for the programs across the country. It has been reported that the recent periods of conflict have led to the losses of eight people, thus intensifying the conflict even more.
Critically, after the authorities abandoned the curfew, protesters resumed their protest and returned to the streets. Starting from the issue related to reservation in civil services jobs, the protests have taken an anti-government nature by the students.
The final bout of violence in the protest soon claimed the life of Mehedi Hasan, a leader of one of the protesting groups, in confrontations between the protesters, the police, and the Awami League goons. Besides, another person was brutally killed in Rangpur.
The demonstrations have cost the lives of over 200 people, with over 10,000 people arrested by the Bangladeshi police in two weeks.
Namely, the student group “Students Against Discrimination” has recently demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, demanding that people boycott utilities and launch a countrywide civil disobedience.
The demonstrators have also demanded the closure of factories and public transport; on the other hand, AL’s activists have also organized processions in various districts of Bangladesh.
Nonetheless, the students’ representatives insisted on keeping the demands intact after the Prime Minister unconditionally opened the door for dialogue. For his part, the Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman has said that the army will ‘stand by the people,’ further escalating the situation.
Last month, Hasina had called the military to quell riots, following which several police stations and state buildings were burnt. Due to tensions and the incorporation of all the stakeholders, such as the military, people are concerned that Bangladesh may experience a long, drawn-out conflict.
