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Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government imposed a curfew on Friday after five days of violent clashes between protesters and security forces. The army has been deployed to patrol the deserted streets, marking a significant escalation in the government’s response to the nationwide unrest.
Capital, Dhaka, remained under curfew on Saturday as the death toll from student-led protests against government job quotas climbed to over 100. The demonstrations, described as the largest since Hasina’s re-election earlier this year, have been fueled by high youth unemployment and anger over a 30% job quota for families of independence war veterans.
Internet and mobile services have been suspended since Thursday, effectively cutting off Bangladesh from the outside world. The curfew will be briefly lifted for two hours from noon on Saturday to allow residents to shop for essentials. Authorities will reassess the situation on Sunday morning to determine further actions.
The European Union has expressed deep concern over the violence and loss of life. International rights groups have criticized the internet suspension and the actions of security forces.
The protests have reopened sensitive political divisions between those who fought for Bangladesh’s independence from Pakistan in 1971 and those accused of collaborating with Islamabad.
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