The situation in Bangladesh has escalated dramatically, leading authorities to impose a nationwide curfew and deploy the army due to violent clashes between student-led protesters and security forces. The clashes have resulted in numerous casualties and brought the capital, Dhaka, to a standstill.
The indefinite curfew was announced on Friday, with hopes of restoring calm by Monday. The government deemed the army necessary to assist in quelling vandalism and restoring order throughout the country.
Student protests have been ongoing for weeks, primarily against a government job quota system that they argue limits their opportunities. Despite the government’s willingness to negotiate, students demand the permanent removal of the quota system before engaging in talks.
Initially peaceful, the protests turned violent as police and paramilitary forces used force to disperse the crowds. Casualty counts vary, with government reports indicating 33 deaths, while activists claim the toll is at least 60.
Social media platforms have been flooded with videos of the clashes, highlighting the intensity of the situation. State buildings were set on fire by protesters, exacerbating the chaos.
Internet connectivity was shut down earlier in the week for public safety reasons, hindering protesters’ ability to organize and share information. Human rights groups have condemned the security forces’ actions and the internet shutdown, citing a disregard for the right to life and the negative impact on access to information.
This isn’t the first time Bangladesh has resorted to a curfew. In 2007, during a period of unrest, an army-backed interim government imposed curfews in major cities to quell student protests, leading to a temporary shutdown of mobile phone services.
