Economy
One-point demand: 96 killed in 21 districts in a day of unprecedented violence across Bangladesh
At least 96 people were killed and over 1000 injured in clashes between protesters, who have been joined by other groups over the course of the movement, on one side and police and ruling party activist on the other, one day after the Anti-Discrimination
Student Movement that fought for quota reforms in government jobs moved to a new phase in their movement: a one-point demand calling for the resignation of the government, in light of the unprecedented killings of protesters in July by government forces, including law enforcers and the ruling party’s student front.
According to reports reaching the UNB news desk throughout Sunday, nine people died each in Dhaka and Feni, six each in Sylhet and Narsingdi district, twenty three in Sirajganj, eight in Laxmipur, five in Bogura, four in Rangpur districts, three each in Magura, Pabna, Cumilla, Kishoreganj and Munshiganj districts, two each in Joypurhat and Sherpur district, while one each in Gazipur, Cox’s Bazar, Bhola, Habiganj, Savar, Keraniganj and Barishal.
Besides, over 1000 people suffered injuries, including with bullets in clashes and attacks across the country.
In Dhaka, at least seven people died and over 250 were injured in clashes.
Three of the deceased were identified as Tawhidul, 22, Obaidullah Siddique, 23, student of Habibullah Bahar College, Ramijuddon Habib Rup, student of Daffodil University.
Their bodies were kept at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, reports our reporter from the hospital.
Besides, a group of miscreants carried out an attack on the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate court in the morning.
In Narsingdi, six Awami League leaders and activists were beaten to death by the protesters when they opened fire on the protesters in Madhabdi upazila.
During the clash, a number of vehicles, Awami league offices, police stations and other establishments were vandalised and set on fire in different parts of the country, including Chapainawabganj and Barishal.
Students and general people started demonstrations in the morning, extending solidarity to student platform Anti-Discrimination Student Movement’s one-point demand for the resignation of the Sheikh Hasina-led government.
The platform also announced non-cooperation movement from a massive rally on Saturday, resulting in poor traffic on the roads since morning. Shopping malls and shops also remained closed.
The situation turned violent when activists of ruling Awami league and its affiliates took to the streets to counter the protesters, said witnesses, our correspondents and photographers from the spots.
Police also fired tear shells, sound grenades to disperse the protesters in many places, resulting in violent clashes that left many including students dead and injured.
Vandalism, arson attacks were reported from various parts of the country including Dhaka, Chattogram, Dinajpur, Sylhet, Khulna, Kushtia.
Amid escalating violence, the government imposed a curfew for an indefinite period from 6pm on Sunday in the capital and some other parts of the country.
Curfew was slapped in Dhaka Metropolitan area and all divisional headquarters, city corporations, municipalities, industrial areas, district and upazila headquarters.
Besides, the government also announced a three-day general holiday for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday amid the escalation of the widespread violence across the country.
The High Court (HC) today dismissed the writ petition seeking order not to shoot protesters but gave some observations in this regard.
The HC bench of Justice Mustafa Zaman Islam and Justice SM Masud Hossain Dolon passed the order after hearing the petition.
The court in its observation said all citizens have the right to participate in peaceful assemblies and emphasised that the police must follow legal directives.
The HC also directed the police to follow the Police Regulations of Bengal (PRB) strictly.
Expatriate Bangladeshis sent approximately US$ 2.11 billion in remittances during the first 28 days of September in the fiscal year 2024-25, according to data released by Bangladesh Bank on 29 September.
Of this total, state-owned and specialised banks handled $679.10 million, while private banks received $1.43 billion in remittances.
Chief Adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, has vowed to expedite reforms and hold elections swiftly. Yunus, who recently assumed the role after the collapse of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year administration, expressed his commitment during an interview with Tokyo-based news outlet NHK WORLD in New York on Sunday. He was attending the United Nations General Assembly at the time.
Following mass student-led protests that ended Hasina’s long-standing rule in August, Yunus stepped in as the leader of the caretaker government. Known for founding Grameen Bank, an institution providing microloans to the underprivileged, Yunus, along with the bank, earned the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his efforts in poverty alleviation.
During the interview, Yunus emphasized that the interim government’s primary mission is to implement reforms promptly and ensure elections are held as soon as the groundwork is complete. He underscored the importance of success, stating, “Failure is not something that we can accept.”
Addressing the pivotal role of students in the ousting of the Hasina administration, Yunus acknowledged the sacrifices made by young people, referring to their involvement as part of a “revolution.” He highlighted his intention to engage the younger generation in shaping policy.
Furthermore, Yunus called for continued support from Japan, Bangladesh’s largest donor, during this crucial transition period. He stressed that Japan’s assistance is vital to stabilizing Bangladesh’s economy and fostering a democratic foundation in the nation.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, the Adviser for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, announced today that steps will be taken to restrict the use of polythene shopping bags to safeguard future generations.
Starting from October 1, polythene bags will be banned in shopping malls, followed by a ban in kitchen markets from November 1.
“Everyone must take responsibility and stop using polythene voluntarily. Action against polythene producers will begin from November 1,” Rizwana Hasan stated during a seminar.
The Department of Environment (DoE) organized the seminar to raise public awareness about alternatives to banned polythene bags.
Rizwana Hasan highlighted that the restriction on polythene will be executed in phases according to legal provisions, and discussions with shopping centers and store owners are ongoing to ensure a smooth transition.
She also announced plans to make the government secretariat a plastic-free zone by December.
Other speakers at the seminar included Environment Secretary Dr. Farhina Ahmed, DoE Director General Dr. Abdul Hamid, Director Rajinara Begum, President of the Shop Owners Association Muhammad Helal Uddin, and Md. Arifur Rahman Bhuiyan, Assistant Professor of Environmental Science at BUP. They discussed the harmful effects of polythene and the need for alternative products.
Earlier, Rizwana Hasan inaugurated a fair showcasing eco-friendly alternatives to polythene bags and visited 24 stalls. The fair featured products from government and private entrepreneurs, including reusable bags, jute bags, paper bags, and items made from bamboo and cane.
