Unrest in Bangladesh live: Security of 20 Dhaka leaders, journalists upped

Security has been tightened for at least 20 Bangladeshi political leaders and media professionals amid escalating unrest in the country, a day after National Citizen Party (NCP) leader Mohammad Motaleb Sikder was shot in the head in Khulna and rushed to hospital. Among those placed under armed protection are senior editors of leading newspapers Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, the Dhaka Tribune reported.

The situation has remained volatile following the killing of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi earlier this month. Inqilab Moncho, the platform Hadi was associated with, has threatened to launch a mass movement to oust the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government if justice is not delivered.

The unrest has also spilled across borders into India, where protests have erupted over the killing of a Hindu man in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district last week over alleged blasphemy.

With another student leader shot on Monday, just days after Hadi’s death, the country remains on edge.

What is driving the unrest in Bangladesh?

Why violence erupted
Fresh violence broke out last week after Sharif Osman Hadi — a prominent student leader and a key face of last year’s July uprising against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina — died in Singapore while undergoing treatment. Hadi had been shot in Dhaka days earlier.

Media offices vandalised
As protests intensified following Hadi’s death, the offices of The Daily Star and Prothom Alo were attacked and set on fire. Several journalists were reportedly trapped inside the buildings for hours before being rescued.

Hindu man killed in Mymensingh
Dipu Chandra Das, a Hindu garment worker, was allegedly beaten by a mob, dragged out of his factory, hung and set on fire in Mymensingh last week. The killing triggered widespread outrage in India over the safety of minorities in Bangladesh. Subsequent investigations found no concrete evidence to support the blasphemy allegations levelled against him.

Another leader shot
Amid continuing unrest, NCP leader Mohammad Motaleb Sikder, 42, was shot in Khulna on Monday, The Daily Star reported. A bullet grazed his skull, but he is currently out of danger.

Protests spill into India
The killing of Das led to large protests outside the Bangladesh High Commission in Kolkata, with demonstrators warning of further agitation, including possible border blockades. Similar protests were held outside Bangladesh’s assistant high commission in Tripura by the Tipra Motha Party and other groups.

Visa services suspended
Following protests near its diplomatic missions, Bangladesh suspended visa services at its High Commission in New Delhi and at missions in Tripura and Siliguri, citing security concerns.

India condemns violence, summons envoy
India condemned the killing of the Hindu man and raised concerns about the safety of minorities in Bangladesh. New Delhi summoned Bangladesh High Commissioner Riaz Hamidullah, also citing a speech by NCP leader Hasnat Abdullah in which he claimed Bangladesh could shelter separatist forces targeting India’s northeastern states.

UN chief condemns killing
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the violence in Bangladesh, including the killing of the Hindu man in Mymensingh. His spokesperson said minorities must feel safe in all countries and expressed concern over the deteriorating situation.

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