32 killed after clashes between police and demonstrators in Bangladesh

Bangladeshi students set fire to the state television building. It came a day after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina went on air on July 17 to quell the escalating clashes that have left at least 32 people dead.
Hundreds of protesters demanding reform of civil service recruitment rules fought and overpowered riot police who fired rubber bullets at them, AFP reported.
An angry mob chased the retreating police officers into the headquarters of state television in the capital Dhaka, then set fire to the building and dozens of cars parked outside.
"Many people were trapped inside as the fire spread," the broadcaster said, but a broadcaster later said they had evacuated the building safely.
"The fire is still going on. We went out to the main gate. Our broadcast has been suspended for now,” the official said.
Hasina's government has ordered schools and universities to close indefinitely as police step up efforts to contain the country's worsening law and order situation.
The Prime Minister appeared on television on July 17 to condemn the "murder" of the protesters and to promise that those responsible would be punished regardless of their political affiliation.
Despite her appeal for calm, violence in the streets intensified, with police once again attempting to disperse demonstrations with rubber bullets and tear gas.
"Our first demand is for the prime minister to apologize to us," said 18-year-old protester Bidisha Rimjim.
"Secondly, justice must be done for our murdered brothers," she added.
At least 25 people were killed on July 17, and 7 earlier in the week, and hundreds more were injured, according to hospital reports.
Police weapons accounted for at least two-thirds of those deaths, according to hospital officials.
"We have 7 dead here," said an official at Uttara Crescent Hospital in the capital Dhaka.
“The first two are students with rubber bullet injuries. The other five have gunshot injuries,” the official added.
Nearly 1,000 others were treated in hospital for injuries sustained during the clashes with police. Many of them had rubber bullet wounds. | BGNES