DHAKA – Bangladesh soldiers patrolled Dhaka’s deserted streets on July 20 amidst a curfew aimed at quelling deadly student-led protests against government job quotas, which have resulted in over 100 deaths this week.
An internet and text message service suspension has been in place since July 18, effectively isolating Bangladesh from the world as police crack down on the protests that have continued despite a ban on public gatherings.
The violent clashes have left at least 105 people dead and thousands injured this week, based on hospital data from across the country. The Dhaka Medical College Hospital alone received 27 dead bodies on Friday between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
The unrest initially erupted over student anger at new quotas for government jobs, including a 30% allocation for families of those who fought for independence from Pakistan. This measure has reopened old and sensitive political divisions between those who fought for Bangladesh’s independence in 1971 and those accused of collaborating with Pakistan.
Over the past five days, police have used tear gas and sound grenades to disperse protesters, who have retaliated by throwing bricks and setting vehicles on fire. With the rising death toll and police unable to control the violent protests, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government imposed a national curfew on July 19 and deployed the military.
The curfew will be eased for two hours from 12 p.m. on July 20 to allow people to shop for supplies and complete other chores, according to TV channels. The curfew will last until 10 a.m. on July 21, at which point the government will reassess the situation and decide on the next course of action.
The demonstrations, the largest since Hasina was re-elected for a fourth consecutive term this year, have also been fueled by high unemployment among young people, who make up nearly a fifth of Bangladesh’s 170 million population.
International rights groups have criticized the internet suspension and the actions of security forces. The European Union expressed deep concern over the violence and loss of life.