Violent student protests about job quotas lead to 114 deaths; Supreme Court hearing set for Sunday.
Bangladesh has extended a curfew until Sunday to manage violent protests led by students, resulting in at least 114 deaths. The tensions stem from government job quotas, with a Supreme Court hearing scheduled for later in the day.
In Dhaka, the capital and epicenter of the unrest, soldiers are patrolling amidst clashes between protesters and security forces. Since Thursday, internet and text messaging services have been suspended, isolating the nation as police enforce bans on public gatherings.
Initially imposed late Friday and extended to 3 p.m. (0900 GMT) on Sunday, the curfew will resume after a two-hour break for residents to gather essential supplies, according to local media. Universities and colleges have been closed since Wednesday amid the turmoil.
The nationwide unrest erupted following student protests against government job quotas, specifically the allocation of 30% of positions for families of those who fought for independence from Pakistan. Although Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government abolished the quota system in 2018, a court reinstated it last month. The Supreme Court, however, suspended the decision following a government appeal and will convene on Sunday, earlier than initially scheduled for August 7.
These demonstrations mark the largest protests since Hasina’s re-election to a fourth consecutive term earlier this year. They are driven not only by dissatisfaction with the quota policy but also by high unemployment rates among the youth, who comprise nearly one-fifth of the population.
In response to the escalating situation, the US State Department has elevated its travel advisory for Bangladesh to level four, advising American citizens against traveling to the South Asian country.
