Political violence in Bangladesh escalates amid opposition's transportation blockade

By SM Najmus Sakib

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) – Political violence has continued to escalate in Bangladesh on Wednesday as the opposition parties block transportation in a three-day protest against the government crackdown.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami announced a nationwide blockade on Tuesday after the law enforcers and ruling party members allegedly foiled their grand rallies in the capital Dhaka.

An on-duty fire service officer in Dhaka, Lima Khanom, told Anadolu that at least five public buses, including two in Dhaka and the port city of Chattogram, were set on fire by unknown arsonists.

In a statement on Wednesday, Human Rights Watch alleged that Bangladeshi police used unnecessary force during political protests on Oct. 28.

At least 11 people, including two police officers, were killed, and hundreds injured during the ongoing violence and the Oct. 28 events.

The Opposition BNP party claimed on Wednesday night that at least seven BNP members were killed and 3,3350 others injured by the police and ruling Awami League party since Oct. 28.

Over 4,000 were arrested across the country, including BNP de-facto leader Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, in the last six days since Tuesday, it added.

The police and the ruling party denied the allegation and blamed the opposition for carrying out violence in the name of rallies.