Bangladesh - US Envoy Motorcade Attacked By Armed Men As Protests Intensify (Video)

The motorcade carrying US ambassador to Bangladesh Ms. Marcia Bernicat was attacked by armed men who chased the vehicles and threw bricks at it in a latest sign the violence in the major Asian nation is spiraling out of control.

The US State Department confirmed the events, stating that Ms. Bernicat was able to leave the troublesome zone unharmed.

Over the weekend, more than 100 people were injured when police fired rubber bullets at demonstrators, mostly students who started protesting a week ago in the capital Dhaka, demanding better road safety.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We have to stop what’s happening in Bangladesh for a better future!!! We can do this <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeWantJustice?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeWantJustice</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bangladesh?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bangladesh</a> <a href="https://t.co/xWdTwbCgeI">pic.twitter.com/xWdTwbCgeI</a></p>&mdash; SakuraMai_wannable (@ellisa_mai) <a href="https://twitter.com/ellisa_mai/status/1025967244499509248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">5 August 2018</a></blockquote>

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Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged the protesting students to go home on Sunday as police fired tear gas at teenage protesters during the eighth day of unprecedented demonstrations which have paralyzed parts of the capital Dhaka.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeWantJustice?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeWantJustice</a><br>The city was not at a standstill at all. The students were protesting in a very organized manner. They have created emergency lanes for ambulances and cars, which was never seen before in the history of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bangladesh?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bangladesh</a> Most of our people support them! <a href="https://t.co/hudeTCZB3J">pic.twitter.com/hudeTCZB3J</a></p>&mdash; runningwater (@running_water_) <a href="https://twitter.com/running_water_/status/1025995178799058949?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">5 August 2018</a></blockquote>

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It all started last week after two students were killed by a speeding bus, driven by a chauffeur without a proper driving license. Students organized themselves via social media and started demonstrating in ever greater numbers.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Bangladesh violence: Armed men attack US envoy’s cars amid protests: The US ambassador&#39;s convoy is attacked by armed men while teens… <a href="https://t.co/QU8IGKRQP4">https://t.co/QU8IGKRQP4</a> <a href="https://t.co/tWtSYHg36C">pic.twitter.com/tWtSYHg36C</a></p>&mdash; CITIZENS for CHANGE™ 🌊 (@cfcpac) <a href="https://twitter.com/cfcpac/status/1026081148387000320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">5 August 2018</a></blockquote>

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However, over the weekend, the protests grew violent as police started an operation to sweep the streets.

As a large crowd marched towards the office of the ruling Awami League party, police at first fired tear gas into the crowds, who kept coming. According to student statement on social media, the ruling political party then sent ‘mobs with machetes’ to try and disperse them, leading to an ever-increasing violent tension.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Bangladesh heating up. People are fed up, student&#39;s uprising tip of iceberg.<br>US Ambassador’s vehicle attacked in Dhaka <a href="https://t.co/nFLQTbFEeX">https://t.co/nFLQTbFEeX</a></p>&mdash; Mariana Baabar Pashteen (@MarianaBaabar) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarianaBaabar/status/1026082368254369792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">5 August 2018</a></blockquote>

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Twelve students were treated at Dhaka Medical Colleague Hospital with clear machete wounds.

Prime Minister Mrs. Hasina, seeing the danger to her own reputation, was quick to point out that a possible "third party" was sabotaging. In a call to the parents of the protesting students, she stated: "That's why I request all guardians and parents to keep their children at home. Whatever they have done is enough."

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Students are protesting in Bangladesh about road safety after two students were killed by a speeding bus. Now, they are being attacked. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bangladeshstudentprotests?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#bangladeshstudentprotests</a> <a href="https://t.co/wA7tEZYVBC">pic.twitter.com/wA7tEZYVBC</a></p>&mdash; AJ+ (@ajplus) <a href="https://twitter.com/ajplus/status/1026100566630359040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">5 August 2018</a></blockquote>

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"Our police force has started a week-long drive to bring discipline on the roads."

Source:

https://www.dailysabah.com/asia/2018/08/05/protests-in-bangladesh-turn-violent-us-embassy-car-attacked