The government has ordered the shutdown of the meta platforms Facebook, Messenger, WhatsApp and Instagram. Ordering mobile operators to shut down 4G mobile internet Prime Minister Hasina offered to hold talks with the protest coordinators on Saturday.

Dhaka: Bangladesh braces for another tense day as protesters appeal to the general public to join the “Long March to Dhaka” on Monday. This comes after around 100 people were killed in fierce clashes between protesters demanding Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation and supporters of the ruling party in various parts of the country.

Clashes erupted on Sunday morning when protesters, who participated in a non-cooperation program under the banner of Students Against Discrimination, met opposition from supporters of the ruling Awami League, with the only demand being Prime Minister Hasina's resignation over the job quota system. , Student League, and Youth League activists.

At least 99 people, including 14 policemen, were killed in Sunday's encounter, according to a report by Bengali-language newspaper Pratham Alo. Mobile internet was shut down and an indefinite nationwide curfew was imposed. Earlier, the anti-discrimination student movement had planned their “Long March to Dhaka” on Tuesday, however, the march was later planned for today, August 5, 2024.

The decision has been taken in an urgent meeting in the wake of growing concern in the country, protest coordinator Asif Mahmood said in a press release issued on Sunday night, PTI reported. “In an urgent decision to take stock of the situation, our 'March to Dhaka' program has been changed from August 6 to August 5. In other words, we are appealing to students across the country to travel to Dhaka tomorrow (Monday). ” he said. “The final battle has come. It's time for the final signing of this student citizen uprising. Come to Dhaka to be a part of history. Students will create a new Bangladesh,” Asif added, asking the general public to join them. Due to the nationwide curfew, the Awami The league's planned mourning procession for Monday has been cancelled.

After the latest violence, India has issued an advisory advising its citizens not to travel to Bangladesh

Meanwhile, due to the ongoing violence, India has advised all its citizens to avoid traveling to Bangladesh until further notice.

Advice for Bangladesh: https://t.co/mKs1auhnlK pic.twitter.com/m5c5Y0Bn8b

— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIindia) 4 August 2024

“All Indian nationals currently in Bangladesh are advised to exercise extreme caution, restrict their movements and keep in touch with the Indian High Commission in Dhaka through their emergency telephone numbers: +8801958383679 +8801958383680 +8801937400591,” the advisory said.

The University Teachers' Network has proposed the immediate formation of an interim government comprising people from various classes and professions. According to this proposal, Hasina will have to hand over power to the interim government. The Teachers Network held a press conference titled 'Outline Proposal for Transition to Non-Discrimination Democratic Bangladesh' at Sagar-Rooney Auditorium of Dhaka Reporters Unity on Sunday.

Clashes erupted on Sunday, days after more than 200 people were killed in violent clashes between police and mainly student protesters. The protesters were demanding the abolition of the controversial quota system that reserved 30 percent of government jobs for relatives of veterans who fought in Bangladesh's 1971 independence war. Since the initial clashes, more than 11,000 people have been arrested.

According to a PTI report, authorities claimed Sunday's protests were joined by unidentified people and activists of the right-wing Islamist militant movement, which set up barricades on several major highways and in the capital city. Houses of representatives, Awami League offices, police stations and other government installations were attacked, vandalized and set on fire in 39 districts on Sunday.

Curfew in major cities and small towns of Bangladesh, Meta platform closed

The situation prompted authorities to order an indefinite curfew from 6pm on Sunday in major cities and towns across Bangladesh, mobilizing the elite Anti-Crime Rapid Action Battalion along with the army, paramilitary border guard BGB and police. The government has ordered to completely shut down the meta platforms Facebook, Messenger, WhatsApp and Instagram. Ordering mobile operators to shut down 4G mobile internet Prime Minister Hasina offered to hold talks with the protest coordinators on Saturday. However, he rejected her proposal. Government leaders had earlier claimed that the “peaceful campaign” had been hijacked by the hard-line Jamaat-e-Islami, backed by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's BNP, and its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir.

(with PTI input)