The recent wave of violence sweeping across Bangladesh has led to the deaths of nearly 100 individuals, as protesters, predominantly students, clash with police forces and supporters of the ruling Awami League. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called a meeting of the National Committee on Security Affairs, which was attended by the chiefs of the Army, Navy, Air Force, police, and other top security officers, to address the escalating unrest. As the nation grapples with chaos, the government has announced a three-day general holiday in an effort to ensure public safety.

The violence, which started as a protest against the quota system that reserves government jobs for the families of war veterans, has quickly spiraled into a broader anti-government movement. Protesters are now demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Hasina. This movement, initially led by students, has gained support from various political, professional, and cultural groups, including the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the now-banned right-wing Jamaat-e-Islami party and their student wings.

A chilling toll of deaths has been reported from various districts: eight in Feni, 22 in Sirajganj, four in Kishoreganj, six in Dhaka, five in Bogura, and more across other regions. Hospitals in the capital have been inundated with casualties, many suffering from bullet wounds. The ferocity of the protests was highlighted when students took the bodies of their fallen colleagues from Dhaka Medical College Hospital to the Central Shaheed Minar, chanting anti-government slogans.

Former senior military generals have also weighed in, urging the government to withdraw armed forces from the streets and seek political solutions to the crisis. In a media briefing, former army chief Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan and others expressed their concern over the armed forces' involvement in internal conflicts, stressing the need for peaceful resolution and political dialogue.

The government's reaction has been severe, with authorities closing schools and universities, blocking internet access, and imposing a shoot-on-sight curfew in an attempt to control the situation. At least 11,000 people have been arrested, and the communication blackout has further fueled the frustration among the masses. Despite these measures, the protests continue unabated, with demonstrations turning violent in several key locations.

In Dhaka, protesters blockaded major intersections and set vehicles on fire near Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, causing panic among patients and hospital staff. Similar scenes played out in other districts, with reports of crude bombs, tear gas, and live ammunition being used. The clashes have been particularly intense in places like Feni, where fatalities have been high.

The initial demand driving the protests was the abolition of the quota system, but as the Supreme Court scaled back the quotas, the focus shifted to broader issues of government accountability and the excessive use of force. The quota system had initially reserved 30% of government jobs for families of war veterans, along with additional percentages for ethnic minorities, disabled, and transgender people. The Supreme Court's ruling reduced these quotas significantly, yet the protests have only grown in strength.

Prime Minister Hasina's administration has accused opposition parties of hijacking the peaceful student-led movement to incite violence for political gain. However, opposition leaders like BNP's Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir have reiterated their demands for the government to resign to restore order. In response, Hasina has offered to hold talks with protest leaders, although these offers have been rebuffed thus far.

The situation represents a significant challenge to Hasina's authority, who has been a dominant force in Bangladeshi politics for over 15 years. The protests not only threaten to destabilize her rule but also pose a grave test to the nation's democratic fabric.

With the country on the brink, the international community watches closely as Bangladesh navigates this turbulent period. Meanwhile, the government's initiatives, including significant security measures and negotiation offers, aim to quell the unrest, but the pool of public discontent seems far from being placated.