Police look for activists of main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) who were trying to enforce a three-day blockade in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Tuesday, Oct.31, 2023. BNP has called for country-wide blockade to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the transfer of power to a non-partisan caretaker government to oversee general elections.
At least two people died and scores were injured on the blockade’s first day. The ruling Awami League party warned that the opposition would be confronted if they continue to create what it called anarchy. At least six people including a policeman have died in the political chaos in the South Asian nation since a massive opposition rally on Saturday.
The government has been under pressure for months as the Bangladesh Nationalist Party led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia has staged anti-government protests. Elections are expected in January, and the political situation is tense as the Election Commission prepares to announce their schedule. headtopics.com
On Tuesday, violence was reported in central district of Kishoreganj, where two people died in clashes with police and ruling party supporters, DBC TV station reported. Other media reported clashes in Narayanganj district outside the capital, Dhaka, where three policemen were stabbed. The United News of Bangladesh agency reported violence including vandalism and arson in Dhaka and other districts.On Saturday, Zia’s party held a rally in Dhaka that turned violent.
On Tuesday, hours after U.S. Ambassador Peter Haas met with Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal and said he hoped all sides would engage in dialogue, Hasina ruled out that possibility and described the opposition as “murderers.” She was referring to the violence on Saturday when opposition activists allegedly beat a police official to death. headtopics.com