At least 91 people were killed and hundreds injured in clashes in Bangladesh today, as police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse crowds of protesters demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The government has ordered an indefinite curfew, starting at 18.00 local time today (15.00 Greek time). It is the first time such a measure has been taken since the protests began last month. Authorities have also announced a three-day national holiday starting tomorrow, Monday.

Demonstrators blocked major highways today, with students launching a “civil disobedience” drive, pushing for the government’s resignation. Riots spread across the country.

“Those who are now protesting in the streets are not students but terrorists who are trying to destabilize the nation,” Hasina said after the meeting of the national security committee, which was attended by the chiefs of the army, navy, air force, police and others. services. “I call on our compatriots to suppress these terrorists with their fists,” added the Prime Minister.

Police stations and offices of the ruling party became the target of the demonstrators. According to a police spokesman, Bijoy Bosak, 12 policemen were beaten to death in Sirajganj district in northwestern Bangladesh.

At least five people were killed and dozens injured in clashes in various districts of the capital Dhaka, police and witnesses said.

Two construction workers were killed on their way to work and 30 others were injured in Munshiganj district in clashes between anti-government protesters, police and ruling party supporters. “They were brought to the hospital dead and with bullet wounds,” said Abu Hena Mohammad Jamal, the director of the hospital.

Police say they are not using live bullets.

In Pampna district, in the northeast, at least three people were killed and 50 injured in clashes between protesters and supporters of Hasina’s Awami Party. Three others were killed in riots in Bogura while another 30 deaths were reported in 12 other districts.

“Attacks on hospitals are unacceptable,” Health Minister Samanda Lal Sen said after a group vandalized a university hospital and torched vehicles, including an ambulance, in Dhaka.

For the second time in a month, the government blocked access to the internet. Social media platforms Facebook and WhatsApp were not available, not even via broadband. Authorities have instructed telecommunications services to shut down the 4F network until further notice and “only 2G will be available,” a classified government memo seen by Reuters said. Telecom companies had been warned that their licenses would be canceled if they did not comply with government orders.

Chief of Army Staff General Wacker-Uz-Zaman has directed officers to ensure the safety of people’s lives and property as well as important government facilities under all circumstances, he said in a statement.

“Bangladesh Army is the symbol of people’s trust. The army is always here and will always be here to (defend) the interests of the people and the needs of the state,” the general said, calling on officers to be on the lookout for “various rumours” circulating on the internet and to carry out the their duties with honesty, integrity and fairness. Zaman will address the media tomorrow, Monday.