On May 6, 2013, state forces violently suppressed peaceful protests by Hefazat-e-Islam at Dhaka's Shapla Square.

On May 6, 2013, state forces violently suppressed peaceful protests by Hefazat-e-Islam at Dhaka's Shapla Square. The movement, sparked by religiously inciting remarks and demands for justice over 1971 war crimes, had staged a massive 'Long March' on April 6 and a major rally on May 5 after their 13-point demands went unmet.
In the early hours of May 6, approximately 7,500 law enforcement personnel (including 5,712 police, 1,300 RAB, and 576 BGB) launched a coordinated 20-minute attack on unarmed protesters, using tear gas, sound grenades, boiling water, and live ammunition. Power and sound systems were deliberately cut off, dispersing at least 50,000 people.
A study by the Biomedical Research Foundation, titled Shapla Chattar Massacre of 6 May 2013: An Example of State-Sponsored Human Rights Violations in Bangladesh, analyzed 61 identified deaths. It found that 80% were civilians (not madrassa students), with an average age of 29, and 85% died from gunshot wounds. Only 9 were madrassa students.
Death toll estimates vary: Human Rights Watch reported at least 58, Odhikar 61, and Hefazat-e-Islam 93. Burial data from Anjuman-e-Mafidul Islam suggest the total could range from 93 to 327.
The report challenges the narrative that the protests were solely madrassa-driven, highlighting severe state-sponsored human rights violations.Source: BRF (https://tinyurl.com/ms7z2zj)