The demonstrations have been going on for two weeks already. On Sunday alone, clashes claimed the lives of at least 27 people.
4.8. 10:57•Updated 4.8. 14:59
Tens of thousands of Bangladeshi protesters gathered in Dhaka’s central square on Sunday for mass demonstrations demanding the prime minister Sheikh Hasina break up.
At least 27 people died and many were injured in the clashes that broke out during the protests. Police used tear gas and stun grenades to disperse the crowd.
The demonstrations have been going on for two weeks and at least 200 people have died in them. Most of the deaths have been caused by the weapons used by the police, reports the news agency AFP.
About 10,000 people are said to have been detained during the unrest, according to the Reuters news agency. Opposition supporters and students have been among those arrested.
Students have demanded an end to the country’s quota system for public sector jobs in the protests that have been ongoing since the beginning of the month. The quota system has been criticized for favoring groups that support the country’s government.
The army “stands alongside the people”
While the army stepped in to help restore order, some of the former military officers have since joined the student movement.
The current Commander of the Defense Forces of Bangladesh Waker-uz-Zaman told officers at military headquarters in Dhaka on Saturday that “Bangladesh Army is a symbol of people’s trust”.
– We always stand by the people and we do it for the sake of the people in whatever the state needs, he said, according to the army’s press release.
The statement did not provide further details or say whether the military supported the protests.
Updated 4.8. 2:59 p.m.: Added Sunday’s death toll.