In Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, violent protests have erupted as supporters of the opposition party express their discontent with the government’s handling of inflation.
Clashes with the police have occurred, with rubber bullets being used to disperse the protesters. The opposition supporters demand the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajid, who belongs to the ruling Awami League, and the formation of an interim government.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Khaleda Zia, who has been in jail since 2018 on corruption charges, has organized several protest rallies in recent months, attracting large crowds. The BNP is pushing for the Prime Minister’s resignation and holding the next elections under a neutral interim government.
During the protests, there were reports of buses and petrol pumps being set on fire by BNP activists. The clashes resulted in injuries to dozens of BNP workers and around 20 police officers. The police detained at least 90 people during the unrest, including two senior BNP leaders who were later released. BNP senior leader Abdul Moin Khan criticized the police actions as unfair and unjust.
The situation remains tense as the opposition continues to express their grievances against the government’s policies and calls for political reforms ahead of the upcoming elections.