Dhaka, Bangladesh – The capital city of Dhaka, Bangladesh, finds itself gripped by a wave of unrest as deadly protests led by students against government job quotas have left at least 105 people dead this week. Soldiers navigate the empty streets during a curfew imposed to suppress the protests that have spiraled out of control despite efforts to ban public gatherings.
The internet and text message services have been suspended since Thursday, isolating Bangladesh from the rest of the world as authorities confront the ongoing demonstrations. Overseas calls struggle to connect, and local media platforms remain inactive, unable to provide updates on the escalating situation.
Hospitals across Bangladesh report thousands of injuries from the clashes, with the Dhaka Medical College Hospital alone receiving 27 bodies in just two hours. The confrontations between protesters and security forces have led to a chaotic scene of tear gas, sound grenades, brick-throwing, and vehicle burnings.
The protests, fueled by frustrations over high unemployment rates among the youth, represent the largest display of public dissent since Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s recent re-election. Determined to restore order, Hasina’s government has implemented a nationwide curfew and deployed military forces to contain the escalating crisis.
Despite the curfew, a brief two-hour break allowed citizens to run essential errands on Saturday, with the government planning to reassess the situation on Sunday morning before deciding on next steps. Army personnel man checkpoints across the streets, verifying identification cards of those venturing out during the restricted period.
The unrest stems from student opposition to government job quotas, particularly the controversial 30% allocation for families of liberation war martyrs. Despite the quota system being repealed in 2018, a recent court ruling reinstated it, triggering widespread anger and protests among the youth population.
The situation remains tense, with scattered incidents of arson and clashes reported, prompting international concern over the handling of the protests by Bangladeshi authorities. As the nation grapples with the aftermath of the deadly clashes, calls for justice and accountability are growing louder, setting the stage for a critical juncture in Bangladesh’s political landscape.