Thirty-two people, including a journalist, have died in Bangladesh as a result of clashes between security forces and students demonstrating against the quota system for employment in the civil service, reported AFP, quoted by BTA.
Hundreds of demonstrators clashed with riot police, who fired rubber bullets at them. The protesters chased the policemen who took refuge in the headquarters of Bangladesh Television in the capital Dhaka.
The angry mob then set fire to a television building and dozens of cars parked outside, according to a media official who spoke on condition of anonymity. The building was safely evacuated, but the fire continues and the broadcast has been suspended.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina condemned the "murders" of demonstrators in a televised speech yesterday and promised that the guilty would be punished regardless of their political affiliation.
But that wasn't enough. The violence escalated, with police again attempting to disperse the demonstrators with rubber bullets and tear gas.
"First we want the prime minister to apologize to us," said 18-year-old protester Bidisha Rimjim, quoted by AFP. "Secondly, there must be retribution for our brothers who were killed," she added.
According to hospital figures compiled by AFP, at least 25 people, including a journalist, were killed today, in addition to the seven killed earlier in the week. Hundreds of others were injured.
The police "non-lethal" weapons were responsible for more than two-thirds of the deaths, according to hospital accounts provided to AFP.
Further clashes erupted in several Bangladeshi cities yesterday, with riot police attacking protesters who began a new series of road and highway blockades.
Helicopters have evacuated 60 police officers trapped on the roof of the Canadian University campus in Dhaka, where fierce clashes are taking place.