Bangladesh anti-government protests kill more than 50

At least 59 individuals have lost their lives in Bangladesh due to escalating conflicts between law enforcement and anti-government demonstrators.

This turmoil has intensified after student leaders initiated a civil disobedience campaign demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Thirteen police officers were reported killed during an attack on a police station in Sirajganj district, as thousands of protestors stormed the facility, according to police sources.

The student-led protests, which initially began last month with calls to eliminate quotas in civil service jobs, have now grown into a broader anti-government movement.

To control the situation, police have deployed tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse crowds across the nation and have also enforced a nighttime curfew. Approximately 200 people have sustained injuries in the clashes.

On Sunday, Law and Justice Minister Anisul Huq told the BBC's Newshour program that the authorities were exercising “restraint”.

"If we had not shown restraint, there would have been a bloodbath. I guess our patience has limits," he remarked.

In the capital city of Dhaka, mobile internet access has been cut off.

A representative from the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) informed BBC Bengali that while 4G internet services in Dhaka have been suspended, broadband services remain operational.

Without 4G and 3G, people cannot use the internet on their mobile devices. The official did not specify when the internet services would be restored.

Fatalities and injuries have been reported across various regions, including the northern districts of Bogra, Pabna, and Rangpur.

Large crowds have congregated in a central square in Dhaka, and violent incidents have been noted in other parts of the city.

In several areas, supporters of the ruling Awami League are reportedly clashing with anti-government protesters.

"The entire city has become a battleground," an anonymous police officer told AFP news agency. He described how thousands of demonstrators had set vehicles ablaze outside a hospital.

Students Against Discrimination, a key group behind the protests, has demanded that the prime minister step down.

The group has called for a nationwide civil disobedience movement starting Sunday, urging citizens to refrain from paying taxes or utility bills. They have also called for the closure of all factories and public transport services.