Bangladesh Unrest: All-Party Meeting Convened as Violence Escalates

The Bangladeshi government has called an all-party meeting following violent unrest. Reports indicate 135 deaths due to police firings and mob violence. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled to India, sparking further chaos and looting of government buildings.

In the wake of escalating unrest in Bangladesh, the central government has scheduled an all-party meeting for Tuesday. Official sources confirm the meeting will begin at 10 am, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar set to provide a detailed briefing on the situation.

The unrest, which saw at least 135 people killed on Monday, included police firings, mob beatings, and arson, according to Dhaka Tribune. The violence occurred across the country, and Monday's clashes between demonstrators and Awami League members led to 96 deaths in police actions.

Further clashes on the outskirts of the capital, in Savar and Dhamrai regions, resulted in 18 additional fatalities. Dhaka Medical College Hospital reported receiving 500 people with various injuries, including gunshot wounds; 70 have been admitted.

Speculation around Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's departure from Bangladesh led to public celebrations. Dhaka Tribune reported that Hasina resigned amid mounting protests and landed at Hindon Air Base near New Delhi in a C-130 Hercules aircraft on Monday evening.

Following her departure, crowds entered the Prime Minister's residence, Ganabhaban, and began looting. Local media Prothom Alo reported similar events at the Parliament building, where individuals were seen taking items. The protests, driven largely by students, initially demanded an end to a government job quota system but have since evolved into a broader uprising against Hasina and the ruling Awami League, resulting in at least 95 deaths, including 14 police officers, and countless injuries in clashes on Sunday.

(With inputs from agencies.)