Widespread Unrest in Bangladesh Leads to Nationwide Curfew

In a drastic response to escalating violence in Bangladesh‘s capital, Dhaka, authorities have enacted a nationwide curfew as riots have resulted in the deaths of 35 individuals this week alone. The unrest has largely been fueled by student protests against a government policy that allocates a segment of public sector jobs for the families of war veterans from the country’s independence struggle in 1971.

The decision to impose a curfew was announced by the Prime Minister’s office following a violent incident at the Narsingdi prison, where hundreds of inmates escaped during the turmoil on Friday. Government spokesperson Naeemul Islam Khan confirmed that the military would be deployed to assist civil authorities in restoring order throughout the nation.

With the death toll now reaching 67 amidst the ongoing chaos, establishing an accurate count has been challenging due to widespread communication blackouts, including mobile internet and phone lines being rendered non-functional. Reports suggest that public transportation systems, including buses and trains, have been suspended, and the streets of Dhaka are rife with police in riot gear.

In a bid to curb the protests, educational institutions across Bangladesh have been closed indefinitely. Despite these measures, demonstrators remain undeterred, insisting on continuing their «Complete Shutdown» campaign, which has involved blocking major thoroughfares throughout the city.

On Friday, crowds of students chanted slogans like «merit, merit» and expressed their resolve, declaring that they would not let the bloodshed of their fellow protesters go unaccounted for. Their demonstration attracted numerous parents who joined in solidarity as they rallied outside Dhaka University, demanding an end to the quota system that they argue is discriminatory against deserving candidates.

The protesters contend that the job reservation system favors those aligned with pro-government groups supporting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who assumed her fourth consecutive term in office following January’s elections. The conflict intensified when Islamist groups organized a march, which was met with severe law enforcement responses, including tear gas, rubber bullets, and stun grenades.

Events escalated further when protesters stormed the Narsingdi district jail, resulting in the escape of several hundred inmates. This information was confirmed by multiple eyewitness accounts reported to BBC Bangla.

The primary opposition party, the Bangladesh National Party, has also called for public demonstrations in support of the students, with exiled acting chairman Tarique Rahman urging individuals to come forth in solidarity with «these tender-hearted students» through a social media post.

As the protests raged on, authorities reported that Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed, a senior leader from the opposition, had been detained, though the police did not disclose the specific reasons for his arrest.

Efforts to mediate an end to the protests through dialogue have so far yielded no results. Law Minister Anisul Haque expressed the government’s willingness to engage in discussions, stating, “I’m sure they are also discussing whether they will come to the talks or not.” However, student activist Nahid Iqbal made it clear that they had no intention of participating in talks at this juncture, given the extent of violence and loss of life.

On Thursday, in an effort to manage the unrest, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Shafiqul Islam announced a ban on rallies within the city, citing a need to protect lives and property following the previous day’s incidents. Reports indicated that two fatalities occurred amid the unrest on Friday, with police transmitting information that over 100 officers sustained injuries during the clashes.

The violent demonstrations have extended far beyond Dhaka, impacting an estimated 26 districts throughout the country. Notably, protesters managed to occupy and cause extensive damage to the state broadcaster, BTV, as fire engulfed parts of the facility. By Friday morning, the facility had yet to resume broadcasting operations, and a senior reporter confirmed damage to several key areas, including the newsroom and canteen.