Politics Media: Dozens dead in riots in Bangladesh

According to local media, around 70 people have been killed in violent clashes between demonstrators and police in Bangladesh. This was reported by the English-language newspaper "Daily Star" and the local newspaper "Prothom Alo". The people were killed in riots in the capital Dhaka and other parts of the South Asian country. Among the dead were 13 police officers. Numerous people were injured. Official casualty figures were not initially released by the authorities.

The Ministry of the Interior tightened the recently relaxed curfew. According to observers, access to the internet was partially cut, affecting social networks and messenger services such as Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.

Why are people taking to the streets?

The demonstrators are now demanding the resignation of the autocratic Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The protests began in July. They were initially directed against the reintroduction of a controversial quota system in the civil service, which has since been rolled back. According to official figures, around 150 people lost their lives in July.

On Saturday, demonstrating students also called for civil disobedience. They had rejected an offer of dialog from the government. According to observers, many stores remained closed. Further actions have been announced for Monday.

Under Hasina's leadership, poor, Muslim-majority Bangladesh experienced an economic upturn. Recently, however, high inflation has been a problem for the people. Unemployment is high in the country of more than 170 million people.

Human rights organizations accuse Hasina of targeting her opponents and critics and having thousands of them arrested. Freedom of expression and freedom of the press have also suffered under her government.