Thousands of soldiers are holding back protesters across the country because a Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been in power since 2009, seeks a third term as leader. In protest, people surround government buildings. As a result, there are fights between the police and civilians.
Opposite parties worry that election results can be rigged. Among the six people killed were two members of the Awami League, and on 16 December a party office was vandalised. The Daily Star newspaper reported that 250 oppositions supporters have been arrested since Monday.