Bangladeshi soldiers patrolled the streets of Dhaka under a curfew imposed to quell violent protests led by students against government job quotas, resulting in at least 105 deaths and thousands of injuries. The clashes have been the largest since Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s recent re-election and have been exacerbated by high youth unemployment in the country. In response to the escalating situation, the government imposed a national curfew and deployed the military to restore order.
The unrest was triggered by student anger over the controversial quotas for government jobs, with specific provisions for families of independence fighters. Although the quota system was initially scrapped in 2018, a court ruling reinstated it last month, leading to widespread protests.
The government’s decision to suspend internet services and arrest opposition leaders, activists, and student protesters has drawn criticism from international rights groups. The European Union expressed deep concern over the violence and loss of life in Bangladesh. Prime Minister Hasina had to cancel her scheduled trips to Spain and Brazil due to the ongoing protests.
The situation remains tense in Dhaka, with reports of arson and clashes between protesters and security forces. The government has temporarily eased the curfew to allow citizens to shop for supplies, but the full extent of the unrest and its implications for the future of Bangladesh remain uncertain as the government assesses the situation and plans its next steps.
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