Bangladeshi security forces on Wednesday clashed with supporters of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, leaving at least four people dead and scores injured, a hospital official and local media said.
The violence erupted in the morning and spread as a new political party formed by students who led the uprising against Hasina in August last year announced a march toward southwestern Gopalganj district, Hasina’s ancestral home, and her Awami League party’s stronghold. Authorities later imposed an overnight curfew in the district.
TV footage showed pro-Hasina activists attacking police with sticks and setting vehicles on fire as a convoy of about 20 vehicles carrying the leaders of the students’ National Citizen Party arrived as part of commemorations of the uprising. Party leaders took shelter in the office of the local police chief. Footage showed top leaders were being escorted by soldiers to an armored vehicle for safety. They later left for a neighboring district with security escorts. Since Hasina’s ouster 11 months ago, Bangladesh has been marked by chaos and unchecked mob violence. Wednesday’s attack underscores the deep divisions in the country as its interim government keeps failing to bring the deteriorating security situation under control.
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