Dhaka: 72 people, including 14 policemen, were killed in violent clashes between protesters and supporters of the ruling party in various parts of Bangladesh demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Hundreds were injured.

On Sunday morning, there was a clash between the protesters who participated in the non-cooperation program in the capital Dhaka demanding the government’s resignation and the workers of Awami League, Chhatra League and Jubo League.

The Dhaka Tribune newspaper reported that several petrol bomb explosions took place during the clashes. Hundreds of students and professionals gathered at Shahbagh in Dhaka and blocked traffic. The protest was held under the banner of ‘Anti-discrimination student movement’ demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and justice for those killed in the anti-reservation agitation.

As the clashes spread, the Home Ministry announced a nationwide curfew from 6 pm on Sunday. The government ordered to ban Facebook, Messenger, WhatsApp and Instagram in the country and halt 4G mobile internet service.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina convened a meeting of the National Security Affairs Committee to deal with the attacks. Chiefs of Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, Rapid Action Battalion, Bangladesh Border Force and other top security officials attended the meeting. They alleged that those who are carrying out subversion across the country in the name of protest are not students but terrorists. Hasina also asked people to suppress them.

Most of the shops and malls in Dhaka are closed due to the protests. Many vehicles of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University were set ablaze by unidentified persons. The Daily Star reported that the stick-wielding men vandalized private cars, ambulances, motorcycles and buses on the hospital premises, causing panic among patients and hospital staff. Rejecting Sheikh Hasina’s invitation for talks, the protesters said they would continue their agitation until the government resigns.

More than 200 people were killed in the student protest weeks ago, demanding the cancellation of the order that reserved 30 percent of government jobs for the relatives of those who participated in the freedom struggle of Bangladesh.