Thousands of protesters attempted to breach the official residence of Bangladesh’s chief adviser on Friday afternoon, triggering pitched clashes with security forces in Dhaka and marking a sharp escalation in political unrest less than a week before national elections scheduled for February 12.Police said crowds converged on the area housing the residence of Muhammad Yunus after a series of marches by opposition supporters moved towards the administrative quarter. Officers deployed water cannon, tear gas and baton charges to disperse demonstrators who pushed through barricades, while armoured vehicles sealed off nearby roads. Hospitals in Dhaka reported dozens of injuries, most from stampedes and exposure to irritants, as authorities imposed temporary restrictions on movement around key government buildings.
The office of the chief adviser said security personnel acted to protect public institutions and prevent loss of life. A brief statement described the attempted storming as an “unlawful and dangerous act” and urged political leaders to pull supporters back from confrontations. Protest organisers, however, accused the authorities of excessive force and said the march was intended to press demands for electoral safeguards and the removal of what they call an unelected interim arrangement.
The confrontation underscored the fragility of the pre-poll environment in Bangladesh, where weeks of rallies, transport blockades and sporadic violence have heightened concerns among businesses, diplomats and rights groups. Opposition parties have insisted on changes to election administration and security oversight, arguing that the credibility of the vote hinges on guarantees of neutrality. The government maintains that the existing framework complies with constitutional requirements and that polling will proceed on schedule.
Security agencies had anticipated an uptick in tensions as rival demonstrations multiplied across the capital. On Friday, police said they reinforced checkpoints and deployed additional units after intelligence suggested plans to converge on sensitive sites. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as protesters attempted to scale fences and hurl stones, while residents in surrounding neighbourhoods shuttered shops and sought shelter indoors.
Political analysts say the attempted breach represents a turning point in a standoff that has oscillated between mass mobilisation and negotiated pauses. “Targeting the chief adviser’s residence signals an effort to force a dramatic response,” said a Dhaka-based political scientist, noting that such actions risk alienating undecided voters while inviting tougher security measures. Others argue the scale of the turnout reflects deep frustration with a process many see as stacked against challengers.
Business groups warned that prolonged unrest could disrupt supply chains and financial markets at a delicate moment for the economy. The taka has faced pressure amid tighter global financial conditions, while exporters fear delays at ports if strikes expand. Transport operators reported sporadic stoppages on major arteries leading into the capital following the clashes, though services resumed later in the evening after police cleared debris.
The election commission reiterated its call for calm and said preparations were continuing, including the distribution of materials and training of polling staff. Officials stressed that voting would be conducted under heightened security, with law-enforcement agencies coordinating to ensure access to polling stations. Civil society organisations renewed appeals to all sides to avoid violence and respect the rights of voters and journalists.