232 people killed since the fall of government in Bangladesh: Report
Dhaka (PTI): At least 232 people were killed in Bangladesh in the incidents of violence that erupted across the country following the fall of the government led by Sheikh Hasina on Monday, according to a media report on Thursday, taking the death toll to 560 since the anti-quota protests first started in mid-July.
Hasina resigned as Prime Minister and fled the country after weeks of tumultuous student protests against her regime.
A total of 232 were reported dead as of Wednesday evening since Hasina's ouster, Prothom Alo newspaper reported.
Before this, some 328 persons were killed in the clashes centring a movement around the quota system in government jobs from July 16 to August 4. In all, some 560 people died over the last 23 days.
Some 21 more persons were killed as of Wednesday. Most of the 232 people died on Tuesday. Some of them died while undergoing treatment.
In Gazipur, some 209 inmates fled from the Kashimpur high-security prison on Tuesday. The prison guards opened fire to stop the inmates from fleeing. Six people, including three militants, were killed in the incident, prison sources said.
The police headquarters has requested everyone to cooperate with the police members so that they can join their workstations.
Security concerns have gripped the country since Hasina’s ouster as police observed a work abstention, citing fears for their safety amid reports of deadly attacks on security personnel.
The call was made through a short message sent from the police headquarters on Thursday morning.
Earlier on Wednesday, newly appointed Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md. Mainul Islam directed the police members across the country to join their respective workstations within 24 hours.
There has been no traffic police on the road for the last three days. Students and representatives of other voluntary organisations have been working as traffic police on the roads of the capital for three consecutive days.
Meanwhile, two leaders from Hasina's Awami League were detained by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) at the Darshana ICP check post in Chuadanga while attempting to flee the country.
Rajshahi City Corporation Ward Councillor and Rajshahi Metropolitan Awami League General Secretary Rajab Ali along with his associate Zakir Hossain were detained by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) at the Darshana ICP check post in Chuadanga while attempting to flee the country.
BGB personnel became suspicious when the two attempted to cross into India on Wednesday morning. They were detained and interrogated, during which they admitted to fleeing the country.
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BJP, TMC hail SC directions on counting of votes for West Bengal polls
Kolkata (PTI): The BJP and TMC on Saturday both hailed the SC directions on the Election Commission's circular over the deployment of central government personnel for vote counting in West Bengal.
The apex court on Saturday said no further order was necessary on the TMC's plea challenging the Calcutta High Court's dismissal of its petition against the April 13 circular.
In a social media post, BJP leader Amit Malviya said, "In yet another legal setback, the Supreme Court has refused to intervene. The Trinamool Congress had approached the court challenging the exclusion of state government employees from vote-counting supervisor duties, and had sought an urgent hearing."
"The refusal to entertain this plea underscores a clear message -- attempts to influence or cast doubt over the integrity of the counting process will not find easy validation. Another day, another judicial rebuff for Mamata Banerjee," he added.
The TMC, however, claimed that the SC directions vindicated its stand.
"The issue raised before the Hon'ble Supreme Court pertained to the implementation of the said communication in a manner whereby only Central Government/Central PSU employees were being appointed as Counting Supervisors and Counting Assistants for counting of votes," the party said in a statement.
The TMC said it was highlighted that such an interpretation and implementation of the communication would be contrary to the framework of a fair and balanced counting process.
"After hearing the parties, the Hon'ble Supreme Court directed that Clause 1 of the communication dated 13.04.2026, relating to the appointment of Counting Supervisors and Counting Assistants, must be read along with the salient feature contained in the second page of the said communication, which provides for random selection of both State Government and Central Government employees," it said.
"The Hon'ble Supreme Court has further recorded the undertaking of Mr Dama Seshadri Naidu, learned Senior Advocate appearing for the Election Commission of India that the said communication shall be followed in its letter and spirit," it added.
The TMC said that in view of the directions, it is expected that the counting of votes shall be conducted in a fair, transparent, and balanced manner.
A special bench of Justices P S Narasimha and Joymalya Bagchi said the EC can choose the counting personnel, and its April 13 circular, which provides for deployment of state government employees as well, cannot be said to be incorrect.
The poll body said the apprehensions of TMC of any wrongdoing are misplaced, as the circular very clearly states that there will be a mix of central and state government employees.
The EC assured the court that the circular would be implemented in letter and spirit, and there would be state government employees also during the counting of votes on May 4.
Polling for the 294-member West Bengal assembly was held in two phases -- April 23 and April 29. The counting of votes will be taken up on May 4.
On April 30, the Calcutta High Court dismissed the TMC's petition against the Election Commission circular, saying there was no illegality in the poll panel's decision to appoint counting supervisors and assistants from Central government and Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) employees, instead of the state government staff.
