Opposition activists protest police killings in Bangladesh.
DHAKA, Oct 29 (Reuters) – Bangladeshi police said on Sunday they had arrested two opposition activists in connection with the death of a policeman during violent protests demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Photos and video showed the officer being beaten and caned to death by a mob on Saturday as tens of thousands took part in demonstrations in the capital Dhaka led by the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
More than 100 people, including policemen and journalists, were injured and several vehicles were burnt. Security forces patrolled Dhaka on Sunday during a nationwide strike called by the BNP, and police said they arrested two activists over the officer’s death and took away the party’s general secretary, Mirza Alam. Jill interrogates.
“We will ensure that those involved in the killings face the harshest punishment,” Dhaka police chief Habibur Rahman told reporters. A police source said one of the two arrested was a BNP youth leader, while the other’s affiliation has not been confirmed.
The BNP did not comment on the officer’s death, but called on supporters to block the streets for three days from Tuesday to protest the arrest. The group said an activist was also shot during Saturday’s protests, but police and doctors said he had a heart condition.
Home Minister Asaduzaman Khan said a case was filed over the violence because Bangladeshis were worried about political unrest and the rising cost of living. “How are we going to survive? Every price is going sky high. How will we save our families? “said substitute Mizanur Rahman.
Critics accuse Hasina, in power since 2009, of authoritarianism, rigging elections and human rights abuses, including jailing opponents. She denies it.
The BNP wants Hasina to step down and hold the next general election in January 2024 under a neutral caretaker government,
