Violence erupts at Bangladesh youth rally, media report four killed
Deadly student-led protests forced long-time Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to flee to India in August last year, and since then there have been delays over promised reforms, growing protests and political division.
Nobel peace laureate Muhammad Yunus, who took over as interim head, said in a post on X that members of the NCP, police and media were attacked during a peaceful rally on Wednesday, with cars vandalized and individuals assaulted.
'Preventing young citizens from peacefully holding a rally to commemorate the one-year anniversary of their revolutionary movement is a shameful violation of their fundamental rights,' he said, blaming Hasina's political party the Awami League and its student group for Wednesday's violence.
BBC News Bangla reported that four people were killed while the local daily Prothom Alo said nine were injured.
Police and hospital officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters.
Authorities imposed a curfew.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
4 hours ago
- Arab News
At least 21 killed in attack on east Congo church by Islamic State-backed rebels, civil leader says
GOMA: At least 21 people were killed on Sunday in an attack on a Catholic church in eastern Congo by Islamic State-backed rebels, according to a civil society leader. The military confirmed at least 10 fatalities, while local media reports put the death toll at more than 40. The attack is believed to have been carried out by members of the Allied Democratic Force (ADF) armed with machetes, who stormed the church premises in Ituri province's Komanda town at around 1 a.m. Several houses and shops were also burnt. 'More than 21 people were shot dead inside and outside and we have recorded at least three charred bodies and several houses burned. But the search is continuing,' Dieudonne Duranthabo, civil society coordinator in Komanda, told The Associated Press. Lt. Jules Ngongo, a Congolese army spokesperson in Ituri province, confirmed 10 killed in the attack. Video footage from the scene shared online appeared to show burning structures and bodies on the floor of the church. Those who were able to identify some of the victims wailed while others stood in shock. A UN-backed radio station said 43 people were killed, citing security sources. It said the attackers came from a stronghold around 12 kilometers (7 miles) from the center of Komanda and fled before security forces could arrive. Eastern Congo has suffered deadly attacks in recent years by armed groups, including the ADF and Rwanda-backed rebels. The ADF, which has ties to the Islamic State, operates in the borderland between Uganda and Congo and often targets civilians. The group killed dozens of people in Ituri earlier this month in what a United Nations spokesperson described as a bloodbath. Duranthabo condemned the attack 'in a town where all the security officials are present.' He added: 'We demand military intervention as soon as possible, since we are told the enemy is still near our town.' The ADF was formed by disparate small groups in Uganda in the late 1990s following alleged discontent with President Yoweri Museveni. In 2002, following military assaults by Ugandan forces, the group moved its activities to neighboring Congo and has since been responsible for the killings of thousands of civilians. In 2019, it pledged allegiance to the Islamic State. The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC), which has long struggled against the rebel group, has been facing attacks since the renewed hostilities between the Rwanda-backed M23.
Arab News
16 hours ago
- Arab News
At least 11 people were stabbed at a Walmart in Michigan, and a suspect is in custody
TRAVERSE CITY, Michigan: At least 11 people were stabbed at a Walmart in Traverse City, and a suspect was in custody, authorities said Saturday. Munson Healthcare said via social media that 11 people were being treated at the region's largest hospital in northern Michigan, and spokesperson Megan Brown said all were stabbing victims. She did not immediately have information on their conditions. Munson Healthcare said it would provide updates 'as appropriate.' The Michigan State Police said the local sheriff's office was investigating the incident and details were limited. The agency asked that people avoid the area while the investigation is ongoing. A fire truck, multiple police vehicles and uniformed first responders were seen outside the Walmart following the incident. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said her office was in contact with police about the 'horrible news.' 'Our thoughts are with the victims and the community reeling from this brutal act of violence,' Whitmer said. A Walmart corporate spokesperson, Joe Pennington, said by email that the company was 'working with police and defer questions to them right now.' FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said in a social media post that bureau officials were responding to 'provide any necessary support.' Traverse City is a popular vacation spot on the coast of Lake Michigan. It is known for its cherry festival, wineries and lighthouses and is about 25 miles (40 kilometers) east of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
Arab News
a day ago
- Arab News
PM Sharif orders swift release of funds for remittance scheme after record $38.3 billion inflows
KARACHI: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday directed the finance ministry to release funds on a priority basis for the Workers' Remittances Incentive Scheme, reaffirming his administration's commitment to facilitating formal remittance flows after overseas Pakistanis sent a record $38.3 billion in the last fiscal year. The scheme, introduced in 2023, aims to encourage Pakistanis living abroad to use official banking channels instead of informal networks such as hawala or hundi. It offers benefits including simplified digital transfers, priority processing, fee waivers and reward points for frequent or high-volume senders. The program is also integrated with Roshan Digital Accounts (RDAs), which allow non-resident Pakistanis to invest in domestic stocks, real estate and government securities. 'Overseas Pakistanis are our strength and a national asset,' Sharif said in a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office. 'Their hard-earned remittances play a vital role in Pakistan's development, and the entire nation, including myself, holds them in the highest regard.' The prime minister noted that remittances have not only helped meet Pakistan's rising import bill but have also contributed to strengthening foreign exchange reserves. 'From laborers to entrepreneurs, every overseas Pakistani is playing a part in the country's progress,' he added. Sharif said the surge in remittances during FY2025 was key to achieving Pakistan's first current account surplus in 14 years. He also pledged to remove administrative and procedural bottlenecks in the remittance system, calling for it to be made 'simpler, more transparent and more efficient.' Remittances form the backbone of Pakistan's economy, providing a vital source of foreign exchange that eases pressure on the current account and supports millions of households through spending on education, health care and daily needs. In times of crisis, they have served as a financial lifeline, helping stabilize reserves and maintain macroeconomic balance.
