The turmoil in Bangladesh continues to escalate, with the Bangladesh Police Service Association (BPSA) announcing a strike, demanding security guarantees for their officers. The strike comes after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s sudden departure from the country, leaving a power vacuum and fueling further unrest.
The BPSA issued a statement, expressing their concern for the safety of their members. “Until the security of every member of the police is secured, we are declaring a strike,” the statement read. The association also apologized for the police force’s actions against innocent students, claiming their officers had been “forced to open fire” and cast as the “villain” by the protesters.
The strike follows a wave of violence that erupted after Hasina’s resignation. On Monday, the day of Hasina’s departure, over 450 police stations were attacked by protesters. The unrest has seen widespread violence, with security forces battling protesters for weeks, leading to the deaths of hundreds, including several police officers.
The situation in Dhaka, the capital city, is particularly tense. According to BBC Bangla, no traffic police were present in the capital on Tuesday, with student protesters guiding the flow of vehicles. The army has taken control, with General Waker-Uz-Zaman announcing Hasina’s resignation and the formation of an interim military government.
Hasina’s departure marks the end of her 14-year tenure as Prime Minister. She faced mounting pressure to resign after accusations of rigging elections in January sparked widespread protests. The demonstrations, which grew in size and intensity over the past month, culminated in Hasina fleeing Bangladesh on Monday as the military turned against her.
The police, who had remained largely loyal to Hasina throughout the crisis, now face a backlash from protesters. The BPSA’s strike highlights the precarious security situation in Bangladesh, with the country teetering on the brink of chaos in the wake of Hasina’s resignation and the growing power of the military.
