Bangladesh Imposes Curfew and Deploys Military Amid Deadly Student Protests
Posted by admin on 2024-07-20 |
On Friday, Bangladesh declared a curfew and deployed military forces following the police's failure to control days of lethal unrest that have spread nationwide.
This week's clashes between student demonstrators and police have resulted in at least 105 deaths, according to an AFP count of victims reported by hospitals.
The situation presents a significant challenge to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's autocratic government after 15 years in power. "The government has decided to impose a curfew and deploy the military in aid of the civilian authorities," Hasina's press secretary Nayeemul Islam Khan informed AFP.
Announcement and Escalation of Violence
Obaidul Quader, the general secretary of the ruling Awami League party, announced the curfew, stating it was necessary to assist the civilian administration in maintaining order.
The protests took a violent turn on Thursday when demonstrators set fire to the country's state broadcaster. This escalation led authorities to shut down the metro rail within the capital and suspend railway services to and from Dhaka. Additionally, the government ordered the shutdown of mobile internet networks in several parts of the country, and schools and universities have been closed indefinitely.
Further Unrest and Cyber Attacks
Student protesters also stormed a jail in the Narsingdi district, freeing inmates before setting the facility on fire.
Meanwhile, the official websites of the central bank, the prime minister's office, and the police were reportedly hacked by a group calling itself "THE R3SISTANC3," as per Reuters. Messages displayed on the hacked sites read "Operation HuntDown, Stop Killing Students," with the ominous declaration in crimson letters: "It's not a protest anymore, it's a war now."
Roots of the Protests
The unrest stems from the reinstated quota system that reserves 30 percent of government jobs for family members of freedom fighters and veterans from the 1971 War of Independence. Protesters argue that this system is unfair and limits their job opportunities. They demand the government scrap the quota system, which they claim only benefits the ruling Awami League party led by Sheikh Hasina.
Indian Students Evacuated
Amid the protests, nearly 1,000 Indian students have returned home, thanks to the coordinated efforts of the Indian High Commission and its Assistant High Commissions in Dhaka, Chittagong, Rajshahi, Sylhet, and Khulna. Approximately 778 students travelled through various land ports, while around 200 flew back via regular flights from Dhaka and Chittagong airports. The Indian High Commission in Dhaka, in collaboration with local authorities, has played a crucial role in ensuring the safe passage of these students.
