The death toll in Bangladesh’s anti-hiring quota protests climbed to 32 as the clashes between protestors and police continued on Thursday, with violent mobs setting the country’s state broadcaster on fire.
The Bangladeshi students part of the protests set state broadcaster ablaze, a day after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina appeared on the network seeking to calm escalating clashes.
Hundreds of protesters demanding reform of civil service hiring rules fought back and overwhelmed riot police who had fired at them with rubber bullets, chasing the retreating officers to BTV’s headquarters in the capital Dhaka.
The incensed crowd then set ablaze the network’s reception building and dozens of vehicles parked outside, a BTV official told media on condition of anonymity.
The broadcaster said “many people” were trapped inside as the fire spread but another official from the station later told media that they had safely evacuated the building.
Hasina’s government has ordered schools and universities to close indefinitely as police step up efforts to bring the country’s deteriorating law and order situation under control.
The premier appeared on the broadcaster on Wednesday night to condemn the “murder” of protesters and vow that those responsible will be punished regardless of their political affiliation.
But violence worsened on the streets despite her appeal for calm as police again attempted to break up demonstrations with rubber bullets and tear gas volleys.
At least 25 people were killed on Thursday in addition to seven killed earlier in the week, according to a tally of casualty figures from hospitals compiled by meedia, with hundreds more wounded.
