Bangladesh quota unrest escalates, 32 dead; protesters set state TV HQ on fire

Dhaka/IBNS: Bangladeshi students Thursday set ablaze the country's state broadcaster BTV's headquarters, a day after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina appeared on the network seeking to calm escalating tension that has left at least 32 people dead.

Hundreds of protesters, who are demanding reform of civil service hiring rules, fought back and overwhelmed riot police who had fired at them with rubber bullets.

The crowd chased the retreating officers to BTV's headquarters in the capital Dhaka, then set ablaze the network's reception building and dozens of vehicles parked outside, said reports.

"Many people" were trapped inside as the fire spread, the broadcaster said in a Facebook post. However, an official told media reports that they were evacuated safely.

Hasina's government has ordered schools and universities to close indefinitely as police step up efforts to get control over the country's deteriorating law and order situation.

The premier appeared on the broadcaster on Wednesday night to condemn the "murder" of protesters and vowed that those responsible will be punished regardless of their political affiliation.

However, violence worsened on the streets despite her appeal for calm as police again attempted to break up demonstrations with rubber bullets and tear gas volleys.

At least 25 people were killed on Thursday in addition to seven killed earlier in the week while hundreds have been injured, according to media reports.

Several cities across Bangladesh witnessed violence throughout the day as riot police marched on protesters who had begun another round of human blockades on roads and highways.

Helicopters rescued 60 police officers who were trapped on the roof of a campus building at Canadian University, the scene of some of Dhaka's fiercest clashes on Thursday, the elite Rapid Action Battalion police force said in a statement.