4 August 2024: March to Dhaka announced on deadliest day
August 4, just the day before Sheikh Hasina's fall, marked one of the bloodiest chapters in the July Uprising, with at least 94 people killed, as reported the next day by The Business Standard, and scores injured across Bangladesh.
Those who are protesting on the streets right now are not students, but terrorists who are out there to destabilise the nation.
The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement's call for a "total non-cooperation" campaign was met with a deadly crackdown from security forces and ruling party supporters.
This day saw severe losses among police forces as thirteen policemen were killed in Sirajganj, and another died in Cumilla as enraged protesters stormed police stations and clashed with security forces.
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In the capital Dhaka, violence broke out in multiple neighbourhoods including Jatrabari, Mirpur, Karwan Bazar, and Uttara. Protesters, some wielding sticks, resisted attacks from police and armed Awami League activists.
The 'March to Dhaka' is tomorrow. After an urgent review of the situation, we have changed the date of our 'March to Dhaka' programme from August 6 to August 5
Among the dead were students, office workers, and local leaders. The government declared a three-day general holiday as the nationwide curfew was extended indefinitely without breaks from 6pm. All courts were shut down, while the army urged citizens to strictly follow curfew rules.
In a meeting with the National Committee on Security Affairs, Sheikh Hasina lashed out at the protest movement, calling for a stricter response.
"Those who are protesting on the streets right now are not students, but terrorists who are out there to destabilise the nation," she said, urging citizens to "deal with anarchists with an iron fist." Her remarks sparked further outrage among protesters and rights groups.
Undeterred, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement announced moving the "Long March to Dhaka" from August 6 to August 5, calling students, workers, and citizens nationwide to join and make history.
"The 'March to Dhaka' is tomorrow. After an urgent review of the situation, we have changed the date of our 'March to Dhaka' programme from August 6 to August 5," Asif Mahmud announced. "So, we are calling on students and the people from all over the country to start their journey to Dhaka tomorrow."
