DHAKA, Bangladesh: Bangladesh has witnessed significant unrest in Dhaka, leading to the arrest of over 500 individuals, including prominent opposition leaders. The clashes erupted in response to controversial job quota policies, prompting widespread protests that have escalated into violence.
According to Dhaka Metropolitan Police spokesman Faruk Hossain, the arrests include high-ranking members of the opposition Bangladesh National Party (BNP), such as Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, the party’s third-most senior leader, and spokesperson Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed.
Aminul Huq, a former national football captain and senior BNP figure, was also detained. Additionally, Mia Golam Parwar, general secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami, Bangladesh’s largest Islamist party, was among those arrested.
The unrest has been severe, with at least three police officers killed and approximately 1,000 people injured, including 60 critically. The violence has highlighted deepening tensions in the country as protests against job quotas turned into broader clashes with law enforcement.
This turmoil follows a recent Supreme Court ruling on the job quota system. The court’s decision, which aimed to address grievances regarding the fairness of the quotas, has been a flashpoint in the ongoing conflict. Many protesters argue that the ruling did not go far enough in addressing their concerns, contributing to the surge in demonstrations and subsequent violence.
BNP spokesperson A.K.M Wahiduzzaman reported that several hundred party leaders and activists have been arrested nationwide, reflecting the widespread nature of the unrest. The situation underscores the volatile political climate in Bangladesh and the challenges facing the government in maintaining order amid escalating tensions.
