Bangladesh is grappling with its most severe civil unrest in years as student-led protests against a controversial job quota system have escalated into broader anti-government demonstrations, resulting in at least 130 deaths. The situation has deteriorated rapidly, with 18 fatalities reported on Saturday alone, prompting the government to take drastic measures.Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s administration has imposed a nationwide curfew, deployed the military, and granted ‘shoot-on-sight’ orders to security forces in an attempt to quell the violence. The government has also suspended internet and mobile services, declared public holidays for Sunday and Monday, and banned all public gatherings.The protests, which began weeks ago, initially focused on a quota system that reserves 30% of government jobs for families of veterans who fought in the 1971 war of independence from Pakistan. However, the demonstrations have since evolved into broader expressions of discontent, with protesters now demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, citing lack of competitive elections and misuse of state institutions to entrench power.The government’s response has drawn criticism from human rights organizations. Amnesty International condemned the rising death toll, calling it a ‘shocking indictment of the absolute intolerance shown by the Bangladeshi authorities to protest and dissent’. The internet shutdown has hindered human rights observers and independent media, effectively isolating Bangladesh’s 170 million people from the world.As the situation remains volatile, the United States Embassy in Dhaka has reported hundreds to possibly thousands of injuries. The government is expected to reassess the situation on Sunday morning, but with protesters defying the curfew and military deployment, the path to resolution remains uncertain.
Key points
- Death toll in Bangladesh protests rises to at least 130, with 18 deaths on Saturday alone.
- Government imposes nationwide curfew, deploys military, and issues ‘shoot-on-sight’ orders.
- Protests have evolved from opposition to job quota system to calls for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation.
- Nationwide internet shutdown isolates Bangladesh’s 170 million people, hindering human rights observers and independent media.
Contradictions👾Death toll figures vary across sources, ranging from 109 to 130.
👾Some sources report the curfew lasting until Sunday 10 am, while others suggest it’s indefinite.
