At least 90 people were killed in Bangladesh on Sunday as clashes between police and anti-government protesters escalated. The unrest follows a civil disobedience campaign initiated by student leaders demanding Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation. The protests, which began with demands to abolish civil service job quotas, have evolved into a broader anti-government movement.

In the district of Sirajganj, thousands of protesters attacked a police station, resulting in the deaths of 13 officers. The demonstrations have spread across the country, including violent incidents in the capital, Dhaka. Protesters blocked roads, set fires, and engaged in violent confrontations with police and government supporters, who were seen using live ammunition, tear gas, and rubber bullets against demonstrators.

The protests have led to a nationwide curfew and an internet blackout on mobile devices in Dhaka. The UN’s human rights chief, Volker Türk, urged an end to the violence and called for restraint from both politicians and security forces. He emphasized the need for dialogue and the release of those arbitrarily detained. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Hasina dismissed the protesters as “terrorists” and asserted that the government has shown restraint to prevent a “bloodbath.”

Despite government offers for dialogue, student leaders rejected the proposal and called for a mass march on Dhaka. They urged citizens to withhold taxes and utilities and shut down factories and public transport. The protests, supported by some ex-military personnel, pose a significant challenge to Hasina’s government, which recently began a fourth consecutive term after elections boycotted by the main opposition.

The situation remains tense as both sides prepare for further confrontations. With thousands detained in a government crackdown, the protests have sparked international concern over human rights abuses and the future of democracy in Bangladesh. As violence continues, the next few days will be crucial in determining the movement’s impact on the country’s political landscape.