Tensions ran high in Bangladesh on Saturday as violent clashes unfolded during rallies organised by both the ruling and opposition parties, resulting in the tragic death of a Bangladeshi policeman and injuries to over 200 individuals, including security personnel, news agency PTI reported. This surge of unrest has cast a shadow over the country in anticipation of the forthcoming elections scheduled for January. The main opposition party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, orchestrated a grand rally in Dhaka.
The leader demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to pave the way for free and fair elections under a non-partisan interim government. However, the rally took a tragic turn as BNP activists were reportedly involved in the fatal hacking of a police constable, while 41 other police officers sustained injuries in clashes across the capital.
According to Dhaka Metropolitan Police Spokesman Faruk Hossain, 39 injured policemen were receiving treatment at the Rajarbagh Central Police Hospital (CPH), and tragically, one of them was declared dead upon arrival at the state-run Dhaka Medical College Hospital, PTI reported. Simultaneously, both the ruling Awami League and the main opposition BNP had called for rallies in nearby areas, intensifying the confrontations.
The violent situation prompted the deployment of the paramilitary Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) as the unrest spread across downtown Dhaka. Demonstrators set fire to ambulances, vehicles inside CPH, and launched attacks on various government buildings, causing further chaos in the capital. The police retaliated by using rubber bullets, tear gas canisters, and sound grenades to disperse the BNP's grand rally.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police's detective branch chief, Harunur Rashid, affirmed that legal actions would be taken against those responsible for attacking government installations and property during the clashes.
In the midst of these turbulent events, Prime Minister Hasina's ruling Awami League party organised a "peace rally," gathering thousands of supporters at the South Gate of Baitul Mokarram Nation Mosque. Meanwhile, BNP activists congregated around the party's Naya Paltan central office in downtown Dhaka, PTI's report mentioned.
To prevent clashes between rival activists, police officers in riot gear, equipped with water cannons, established buffer zones at the Purana Paltan area. The opposing groups were reportedly armed with bamboo sticks and stones.
Medical personnel at Dhaka's main state-run Dhaka Medical College Hospital reported that approximately 200 individuals had been brought to the facility, many of them suffering from critical head injuries.
The violent outbreak began in the Kakrail area when BNP activists allegedly attacked a bus carrying members of the rival party. Subsequently, police fired tear gas to disperse opposition activists chanting anti-government slogans, the report stated.
In response to the turmoil, the BNP called for a nationwide general strike on Sunday to protest the police's actions in thwarting what the party had termed a "peaceful mass gathering."
In contrast, Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport Minister Obaidul Quader urged party workers to stage "peace rallies" nationwide. Prime Minister Hasina took the opportunity to address the opposition's actions, accusing them of attempting to disrupt her government's development agenda during a public rally in the southeastern port city of Chattogram, where she inaugurated the country's first underwater tunnel in the Karnaphuli River.
This recent bout of violence unfolds against the backdrop of escalating tensions ahead of the expected general elections in Bangladesh in January 2024. The BNP has been actively protesting the election process, arguing that holding credible and fair elections under the ruling Awami League is not feasible, as per PTI. Meanwhile, the ruling party, aiming for a fourth consecutive term, maintains that the election will be conducted under the supervision of Hasina's government, as mandated by the Constitution.
Notably, Khaleda Zia, the ailing leader of the BNP, remains under house arrest following a corruption conviction, which has added to the party's determination to challenge Hasina's rule as the country's election commission prepares to announce the 12th national election.
The independent Election Commission recently expressed concerns about the suitability of the environment for the early January 2024 polls, highlighting the ongoing discord. Despite these challenges, the commission remains committed to conducting the election as scheduled. If the entire election process is deemed flawed, the commission may be forced to suspend the elections across the entire country, Chief Election Commissioner Habibul Awal said, PTI reported.
The BNP's core demand revolves around the restoration of the election-time non-partisan caretaker government system, which was utilised in elections from 1991 to 2008. Subsequent elections were held under the incumbent government, which scrapped the constitutional provision upon assuming office in January 2009.
Major Western nations, including the United States, have called for fair, credible, and inclusive elections in Bangladesh in the interest of democracy.