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Bangladesh security forces fire bullets and sound grenades as protests over government jobs escalate
DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — Police and security officials in Bangladesh fired bullets and tear gas at protesters Friday and banned all gatherings in the capital as internet and mobile services were cut off following days of deadly clashes over the allocation of government jobs. Several people were killed, media reports said.
The protests, which began weeks ago but escalated sharply this week, represent the biggest challenge to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina since she won a fourth consecutive term in office after elections in January. Main opposition groups boycotted those polls.
There were varying reports of the number of people killed Friday, with Independent Television reporting 17 dead and Somoy TV reporting 30. An Associated Press reporter saw 23 bodies at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, but it was not immediately clear whether they had all died on Friday.
A death toll of 22 people was reported on Thursday, in what had so far been the bloodiest day of demonstrations, according to local media, as protesting students attempted to impose a “complete shutdown” of the country.