More than 500 people, including some opposition leaders, have been arrested following days of clashes in the Bangladesh capital, Dhaka, triggered by protests against job quotas, police reported on Monday.
“At least 532 people have been arrested over the violence,” said Dhaka Metropolitan Police spokesman Faruk Hossain. “They include some BNP leaders,” he added, referring to the opposition Bangladesh National Party.
Among the detainees are the BNP’s third-most senior leader, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, and its spokesman, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed. A former national football captain turned senior BNP figure, Aminul Huq, was also held, Hossain stated. Additionally, Mia Golam Parwar, the general secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami, the country’s largest Islamist party, was arrested.
The unrest has claimed the lives of at least three policemen, with about 1,000 others injured. Of those injured, at least 60 are in critical condition, according to Hossain.
BNP spokesman A.K.M Wahiduzzaman reported that nationwide, "several hundred BNP leaders and activists were arrested in the past few days."
The protests began over government-imposed job quotas, which many believe are unfair and limit opportunities for deserving candidates. The situation remains tense as authorities continue to manage the fallout from the clashes.
“At least 532 people have been arrested over the violence,” said Dhaka Metropolitan Police spokesman Faruk Hossain. “They include some BNP leaders,” he added, referring to the opposition Bangladesh National Party.
Among the detainees are the BNP’s third-most senior leader, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, and its spokesman, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed. A former national football captain turned senior BNP figure, Aminul Huq, was also held, Hossain stated. Additionally, Mia Golam Parwar, the general secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami, the country’s largest Islamist party, was arrested.
The unrest has claimed the lives of at least three policemen, with about 1,000 others injured. Of those injured, at least 60 are in critical condition, according to Hossain.
BNP spokesman A.K.M Wahiduzzaman reported that nationwide, "several hundred BNP leaders and activists were arrested in the past few days."
The protests began over government-imposed job quotas, which many believe are unfair and limit opportunities for deserving candidates. The situation remains tense as authorities continue to manage the fallout from the clashes.
