Bangladesh unrest: Toll rises to 300 as protests intensify

The number of people who have lost their lives during the anti-government protests in Bangladesh, ongoing since July, has risen to at least 300, according to AFP, based on police and medical sources. On Sunday alone, 94 people died as a result of clashes with security forces and ruling party activists. A curfew has been imposed in the country.

"The government has killed many students. The time has come for the final answer," said protest coordinator Asif Mahmud in a statement published Sunday evening on Facebook.

"Everyone will come to Dhaka especially from the surrounding districts. Come to Dhaka and take a position on the streets," he added.

Anti-government protests have been ongoing in Bangladesh since July. Students are demanding the abolition of the controversial quota system for allocating government positions. The movement has quickly evolved into a broader initiative aimed at toppling Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed's government, which remained in power in January following elections boycotted by the opposition, Reuters reports.

During Sunday's demonstrations, which took place in 39 out of the country's 64 districts, at least 94 people were killed, including 13 police officers. In recent weeks, about 11,000 people have been arrested.

The authorities have imposed a curfew and a three-day work stoppage. In response to the growing violence, the railways have suspended their operations, and garment factory owners have decided to close their establishments, "considering the overall safety of the workers," according to an industry association.

Bangladesh's armed forces are appealing to citizens to comply with the curfew. Reuters reports that a group of retired officers has called on the government to withdraw the military from the streets and take steps to resolve the crisis.

Bangladesh, which has a population of nearly 170 million, has about 20% unemployed or lacking access to education.