Bangladesh PM urges youths to end protest
Thousands have brought parts of capital to a standstill
Bangladesh Prime Minister Shaikh Hasina urged students yesterday to go home as police fired tear gas during an eighth day of unprecedented protests over road safety which have paralysed parts of Dhaka.
Students in their tens of thousands have brought parts of the capital to a standstill after two teenagers were killed by a speeding bus. The unrest quickly spread beyond the capital. Authorities have shut down mobile internet services across swaths of the country, officials and local media said.
On Saturday the protests took a violent turn in Dhaka’s Jigatala neighbourhood, with more than 100 people injured as police fired rubber bullets at demonstrators. ■
A car carrying US ambassador Marcia Bernicat was also attacked by “armed men” but she escaped unscathed, the embassy said.
The violence continued yesterday with police firing tear gas into a large crowd marching toward an office of the ruling Awami League party, a correspondent said.
Hasina warned yesterday a “third party” could sabotage the protests and put the safety of demonstrators at risk.
“That’s why I request all guardians and parents to keep their children at home. Whatever they have done is enough,” the prime minister said from her office.
Attacked
Some youngsters were rushed to hospital on Saturday after being attacked, allegedly by pro-government activists, witnesses said.
Hasina’s warning came as protesters marched towards the scene of Saturday’s clashes chanting “We want justice!”
Police denied they fired rubber bullets or tear gas at the protesters. However hospital staff said dozens of people had been injured, some seriously, and injuries were consistent with rubber bullets. The Awami League has denied allegations its officials beat up students.