Facebook mentioned its services in Bangladesh have been shut down on Saturday, as tons of of hardline Islamists marched throughout the nation, angered by the police killing of their supporters who had protested against a visit by Indian premier Narendra Modi.
The authorities of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina didn’t remark if it had blocked Facebook and its messenger app, however it has beforehand used web shutdowns as a software to curb the unfold of protests.
Four supporters of the Islamist group Hefazat-e-Islam have been killed on Friday after police opened hearth when protesters allegedly attacked a police station in the southeastern city of Chittagong.
They have been demonstrating against Modi, whom the group accuses of alienating minority Muslims in India.
Dozens have been additionally harm on Friday in the capital Dhaka the place police used rubber bullets and teargas in clashes with violent protesters.
“We`re aware that our services have been restricted in Bangladesh,” Facebook mentioned in a press release. “We`re working to understand more and hope to have full access restored as soon as possible.”
Facebook additionally mentioned it had critical considerations in regards to the method in which it was being restricted in Bangladesh at a time when efficient communication was essential to deal with the coronavirus pandemic.
On Saturday, tons of of members of Hefazat-e-Islam and different Islamist teams marched on the streets of Chittagong and Dhaka protesting the deaths of their supporters.
“Police opened fire on our peaceful supporters,” the group`s organising secretary Azizul Haque advised the rally in Chittagong. “We will not let the blood of our brothers go in vein.”
Hefazat-e-Islam, which interprets into safety of Islam, has known as for a nationwide strike on Sunday to protest the killings.
Non-profit Amnesty International additionally criticised the police motion in Chittagong.
“The right to peaceful protest has come under concerted attack, particularly during the coronavirus pandemic, culminating in this type of bloody repression,” Sultan Mohammed Zakaria, Amnesty International`s South Asia Researcher, mentioned in a press release.
Modi landed in Dhaka on Friday for a two-day visit, his first worldwide journey because the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic final yr, to rejoice the fiftieth anniversary of the nation`s independence.
He will maintain formal talks with Hasina on Saturday.
“We don`t want to see Modi in Dhaka,” Hefazat chief Sultan Mohiuddin mentioned, addressing supporters in the capital metropolis. “He must leave Bangladesh soon.”
