Dhaka: The death toll in anti-government protests in Bangladesh rose to 440 on Tuesday. According to reports in local media, more than 100 people have died in the incidents of violence after Sheikh Hasina resigned from the post of Prime Minister on Monday and left the country. The army is engaged in controlling the situation in the violence-hit country. The news portal ‘BDNews24.com’ said that despite the rising death toll, there were signs of normalcy on Tuesday, with police and army patrolling the streets. The portal said that after Monday’s unrest and overnight tense situation, the situation in Dhaka remained calm on Tuesday morning. According to the report, buses and other public vehicles were seen on the roads and local shopkeepers also opened their shops.
24 people burnt alive to death
At least 24 people, including an Indonesian citizen, were burnt alive by a mob in a hotel in Bangladesh. The incident took place when Sheikh Hasina left the country after resigning from the post of Prime Minister. Local journalists and hospital sources gave this information on Tuesday. Late on Monday night, a mob set fire to the Jabir International Hotel owned by District Awami League General Secretary Shahin Chakkalder in Johor district, in which 24 people were burnt alive. Most of the people who died in this incident were staying in the hotel.
Violence took place fiercely
A local journalist from Dhaka told ‘PTI Bhasha’ over the phone, “An Indonesian citizen is also among the dead.” He said that doctors at Johor General Hospital have confirmed that they have counted 24 bodies, while surviving hotel employees fear that there may be more bodies in the rubble. According to media reports, a violent mob opposing the Awami League government set fire to the ground floor of the hotel and it soon spread to the upper floors. Similar reports have come from across Bangladesh where angry mobs simultaneously vandalised residences and business establishments of several Awami League leaders and workers.
Violence spread in many parts of the country
At least 109 people were killed in clashes in various parts of the country, including Dhaka, on Monday, the Bengali daily Pratham Alo reported on Tuesday. Earlier, the newspaper had reported 98 deaths till 12 noon on Sunday and 16 more people were reported dead by midnight on Sunday. It said a total of 114 people died on Sunday. “With this, the total number of people who lost their lives in the violence in 21 days from July 16 to yesterday has gone up to 440,” the newspaper said. It said 37 bodies were brought to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital between 11 am and 8 pm on Monday. The newspaper, citing hospital sources, said 500 injured were brought to the hospital, many of whom had bullet injuries.
