US condemns violence in Dhaka, reminds Bangladeshis of visa restrictions

The US Embassy says it will limit public services on Sunday as the BNP plans to enforce a general strike, locally known as hartal

The United States has condemned violent clashes between BNP activists and police during the opposition party’s rally in Dhaka, reminding Bangladeshis of visa restrictions over the January national election.

Donald Lu, assistant secretary at the State Department’s Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, issued a statement after the deadly violence on Saturday.

The US Embassy in Dhaka will also limit public services on Sunday as the BNP plans to enforce a nationwide general strike, locally known as hartal, in protest against “police attacks on their rally at Naya Paltan”.

Any appointments scheduled with embassy offices, including routine American Services appointments or visa appointments, will be rescheduled at a future date, the embassy said.

“The United States condemns today's political violence in Dhaka. We call for calm and restraint on all sides and will review all violent incidents for possible visa restrictions,” Lu said.

The US has recently started imposing visa restrictions on Bangladeshis for undermining the democratic election process amid the BNP’s movement for an election-time caretaker government.

The party alleges that elections can never be free and fair under the ruling Awami League.

As the BNP started its non-stop campaign to oust the government with a massive rally at Naya Paltan on Saturday, its activists clashed with police, vandalised and torched vehicles and attacked other sites.

Police retaliated with tear gas, stun grenades, and water cannons. The law enforcers also opened fire.

A police constable was beaten dead by rioters with ties to the BNP. A man was brought dead to a hospital during the violence and the BNP said he was an activist of the party’s youth front, Jubo Dal.