Curfew in Bangladesh after rioting

[demoleft]

Source: Al Jazeera

Bangladesh's military-backed government has imposed an indefinite curfew in six cities after violent student protests left one man dead and at least 50 injured.

The curfew, which came into effect on Wednesday, includes the capital Dhaka. All colleges and universities in the six cities have been closed as part of the restrictions.

...

Before ordering the curfew, a government statement said the authorities would take "stern actions against anyone engaged in rowdy and anarchic acts".
...
"The situation is deteriorating as teachers now have came out to join protesting students," said a police officer in Dhaka.





Read more: http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/0295C24F-6A41-400C-99E0-B156B5616BBE.htm

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Students, like in China some years ago. Not with the same sad ending, I hope.
Remember the one standing still to stop the tanks? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBN11-F8kh8

[David__77]

1. Students, like in America some time ago.

Let's not forget Kent State and Mississippi State!

[varun]

9. Bangladesh is a nascent democracy

and has been ruled by military dictators many times in its short 36 years of existance.

Not exactly like US was during Kent State demonstrations.

[demoleft]

2. Bangladesh remains shut down

Source: Al Jazeera

Violence has subsided in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka after the interim government imposed an indefinite curfew to end days of rioting.

Dhaka's usually bustling streets looked largely deserted on Thursday, witnesses said.
...
Mobile phone service was restored early on Thursday, but stores and offices remained closed, streets were empty of cars and security forces were stopping anyone out walking or taking tricycle rickshaws.

Seven journalists were arrested during the curfew, the private CSB news channel reported. United News of Bangladesh (UNB) said at least two journalists were beaten up despite showing press cards.


Read more: http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/DBD386B9-7769-4BE8-92D2-038A2438EF29.htm

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Curfew, students clashing, journalists beaten...doesn't it sound like the vigil of a civil war?

[Kagemusha]

3. Insurrection. Civil war takes a much more militarized 2nd side.

Or more than 2 sides, for that matter...

[demoleft]

4. Right correction. n/t

[Ian David]

5. More importantly, who can I call now when I can't synchronize the porn on my PalmPilot? n/t

[demoleft]

6. UPDATE: "Bangladesh detains university teachers after riots"

Here we are: teachers arrested.
And in perfect NAZI style, arrests occurred by night or in early morning raids.

AFP, 24 August 2007:

'DHAKA (AFP) - Bangladesh security forces on Friday arrested four university professors who were allegedly active in protests that erupted into clashes with police and prompted a curfew in six cities, officials said.

The arrests came in early morning raids before the government said it was temporarily suspending the curfew imposed after three days of unrest in the country, which has been under emergency rule since January.

Harun ur Rashid, dean of Dhaka university's social science faculty, and Anwar Hossain, dean of bioscience and general secretary of the university's teachers' association, were arrested, acting vice-chancellor Yusuf Haider said.

"At least 10 army officers came to our house in the night and said my father had to go with them to the police station," said Hossain's daughter Dipannita.'

AFP, http://www.afp.com/english/news/stories/070824072349.iginas8i.html

[struggle4progress]

7. Release of five university teachers demanded

Sunday, August 26, 2007 01:30 AM BDT

~snip~ The South Asian People's Union against Fundamentalism and Communalism made the demand in a statement signed by its President National Professor Kabir Chowdhury, Justice KM Sobhan, human rights activist Hena Das, Prof Borhanuddin Khan Jahangir, Prof Ajay Roy and writer and columnist Shahriar Kabir.

They also condemned the harassment of journalists during the curfew period.

They criticised the government for arresting the academics without any warrants and for not producing them before the court even 30 hours after their arrest.

The rights activists also criticised the government for its treatment of journalists and teachers, comparing the present government's action to that of the BNP-led four-party alliance government. ~snip~

http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=1483

[struggle4progress]

8. Bangladesh arrests 144 for violating curfew

2007-08-25 19:31:55 -

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) - ... No new demonstrations have been reported since the curfew was imposed Wednesday in six major cities after student protests erupted demanding the removal of army posts on campuses and an end to emergency rule.

At least 144 people have been arrested since Wednesday for violating the curfew, police said Saturday.

The curfew has been relaxed during daytime hours, allowing businesses to reopen and traffic chaos to return to city streets ... http://www.pr-inside.com/bangladesh-arrests-144-for-violating-curfew-r208691.htm

[demoleft]

10. UPDATE 26 August: "Bangladesh army chief sees politicians behind riots"

AFP:
"DHAKA, Aug 26, 2007 (AFP) - Bangladesh's army chief has accused politicians ousted by the military-backed government of instigating riots that prompted a curfew, official media said on Sunday.

The leading cities of Bangladesh, which has been under a state of emergency since January 11, were put under curfew on Wednesday following three days of rioting which spread from the capital Dhaka.

Army chief General Moeen U Ahmed termed the trouble "a conspiracy of a quarter of corrupt and dishonest politicians to destroy the image of the goverment," the BSS news agency said.

...

The government earlier accused politically-motivated troublemakers without any genuine grievance of hijacking the demonstrations."

AFP, http://www.afp.com/english/news/stories/070826063529.7lgszpmo.html