Why Bangladesh Is Facing Violence Again as Sheikh Hasina Verdict Nears

Bangladesh is witnessing a sudden resurgence of violence, arson and crude bomb attacks as the International Crimes Tribunal prepares to announce a crucial verdict against deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Dhaka, the epicentre of political tension, was turned into a heavily fortified zone on Thursday, with security forces patrolling near-empty streets and checkpoints sealing major entry points into the city.

The unrest comes just days before the tribunal sets the final date for judgment in a sweeping case that accuses Hasina and her top aides of grave offences linked to last year’s deadly student-led uprising. Hasina, who fled to India in August 2024 after her government collapsed, faces multiple charges including murder, conspiracy, torture, and ordering lethal action on unarmed protesters.

Dhaka Goes Into Lockdown

Authorities deployed both the police and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) across the capital as the outlawed Awami League called for a citywide shutdown. Dhaka’s normally crowded roads fell silent, public transport ran at a fraction of its usual volume, and security cordons were placed around the High Court and key government zones.

Local reports indicated that the flare-up has now spread to several regions, including Gazipur and Brahmanbaria. In Brahmanbaria, a branch of Muhammad Yunus’s Grameen Bank was torched, destroying documents and office property. Multiple buses were burned in Dhaka and nearby districts, while miscreants set fire to a train coach in Tejgaon.

Series of Explosions Across the Capital

Dhaka witnessed crude bomb blasts at no fewer than 17 locations, including an attack near Dhaka University that injured three people. A shopping mall and a public ground screening a documentary were also targeted, signalling a coordinated attempt to destabilise the capital.

Police reported the arrest of 44 Awami League members since Tuesday and claimed to have recovered large caches of crude and petrol bombs from a residence near Dhaka. In Narayanganj, 29 party leaders and workers were detained in connection with the violence.

The Case Against Sheikh Hasina

The tribunal is examining five major charges against Hasina related to the 2024 student protests that toppled her long-running government. These include accusations of:

• Murder, attempted murder and torture of unarmed civilians

• Ordering lethal force on student crowds

• Causing the death of a student in Rangpur

• Making provocative statements that escalated the unrest

• Involvement in the shooting of six protesters in Dhaka’s Chankharpul area

The 2024 protests resulted in more than 500 deaths and hundreds of injuries, making it one of Bangladesh’s most violent political crises in decades. The current interim government led by Muhammad Yunus has been sharply critical of Hasina and even requested her extradition last year—something New Delhi has not acted upon.

A Nation on Edge

With national elections scheduled for early 2026, the tribunal’s verdict is set to shape Bangladesh’s political landscape. The return of bomb attacks and arson has revived fears of another prolonged period of unrest, and the atmosphere in Dhaka reflects a population bracing for what comes next.