The government of Bangladesh on Friday night imposed a curfew and deployed military forces as the death toll from ongoing student protests surged to 75.
The curfew, set to commence at midnight, is aimed at controlling the escalating violence, according to officials.
Earlier in the day, at least 30 protesters lost their lives in fierce clashes with security forces, bringing the total number of deaths over the past three days to 75.
The violent demonstrations have erupted in opposition to the 56% quota system in public jobs, which reserves positions for various groups, including the descendants of those who participated in Bangladesh’s 1971 War of Liberation.
Police sources informed Anadolu Agency in Dhaka that the majority of fatalities occurred in the capital, which has been the epicenter of the unrest. The nationwide protests have also resulted in over 2,000 injuries, with demonstrators refusing to vacate college and university campuses despite government orders to close educational institutions.
In an attempt to quell the unrest, the government has enforced a communications blackout, cutting off mobile and broadband internet services. The move aims to hinder the coordination of protest activities and the spread of information.
The controversial quota system has been a point of contention for years, but recent protests have seen a dramatic escalation in violence. The quota allocates 30% of public job positions to the descendants of those who fought in the 1971 liberation war, with the remaining percentage reserved for women, ethnic minorities, and other groups.
In response to the intensifying protests, the government has announced plans to appeal to the Supreme Court on Sunday, seeking to reduce the quota from 56% to 20%. This move is seen as an effort to address the grievances of the student protesters and restore order in the country.
