Dozens of political killings during the riots in Bangladesh

At least 29 bodies of leaders of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League political party and their family members have been found in several cities in Bangladesh, according to local media.

According to the Dhaka Tribune , “at least 10 people were killed in attacks and violence in Satkhira district following the news of Sheikh Hasina’s resignation as prime minister and departure from the country on Monday”, and homes and businesses of party leaders and activists were vandalized, looted and burned.

In the city of Cumilla, “at least 11 people were killed in the mob attacks” and another six people were reportedly killed when a house belonging to a senior Awami League official was set on fire.

According to media reports, not only party members were killed, but also their children and family members. On Monday, in the midst of the protests and riots, Hasina decided to resign and left the country shortly thereafter.

Soon after, the unrest escalated, her house was stormed and large-scale looting and arson broke out across the country. Army chief Waker-uz-Zaman, said an interim government would be formed and promised to investigate all deaths and end the violence.

1400 may have been killed

In early July, students took to the streets in many Bangladeshi cities, protesting what they saw as widespread corruption, a lack of democracy, and a quota system for government jobs that they accused of unfairly favoring groups allied with the prime minister.

Pro-government groups and opposition protesters have also clashed in several places, resulting in a number of deaths.

No one knows exactly how many people have died. Some analysts say at least 350 have died, while others, such as India Today, say the death toll could be as high as 1,400. More than 11,000 people have been arrested since the riots began.

A Shop of #Hindu owner (Rajan Chandra) in Lakshmipur set on fire by Radical Muslims in Bangladesh. pic.twitter.com/6YYiw95ChJ

— Faraz Pervaiz (@FarazPervaiz3) August 7, 2024

More than 90% of Bangladesh’s population is Muslim, and according to testimonies and reports, people from the country’s Hindu minority (around 8%) are also often victims of the violence.