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More than 100 deaths have been reported in widespread protests in Bangladesh in clashes between the protesters and security personnel read more
 "Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina imposes curfew amid nationwide violence, calls in military to crush protests")
Anti-quota protesters clash with the police in Dhaka. AFP
Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has imposed nationwide curfew as violent clashes between protesters and security personnel continue to take place. She has called in the military to crush the protests.
More than 100 deaths have been reported and over 700 people have been injured in this week’s violence that has now spread to most of the country.
The declaration of the curfew and the deployment of the military to support the embattled police and paramilitary personnel was separately confirmed by Hasina’s office and her political party Bangladesh Awami League (BAL).
Hasina’s Press Secretary Nayeemul Islam Khan told AFP, “The government has decided to impose a curfew and deploy the military in aid of the civilian authorities.”
Khan on Friday further said that the order had come into force with immediate effect.
Separately, BAL General Secretary Obaidul Quader announced that Hasina’s government had declared nationwide curfew and had ordered the deployment of military to help the civilian authorities maintain law and order, according to The Associated Press.
The nationwide curfew comes amid reports of nationwide suspension of internet since Thursday. Despite these measures, the protests have continued to rage across the country as the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has lent support to the protesters.
More than 100 killed — 52 killed on Friday alone
More than 50 deaths were reported in Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka on Friday
At least 52 people were killed in Dhaka on Friday, according to a list of casualties of Dhaka Medical College Hospital and cited by AFP.
Overall, the agency reported that at least 105 people have been killed, according to a tally compiled from figures from various hospitals.
More than half of these deaths were a result of police firing, reported the agency by citing hospital staffers.
Earlier in the day, the agency reported that more than 700 people were injured, around 100 of whom were security personnel.
Previously, the police in Dhaka banned all public gatherings but that did not stop the protests. The police in Dhaka said protesters on Thursday burnt, vandalised, and carried out “destructive activities” on police and government offices. Among the places attacked included state broadcasters Bangladesh Television’s headquarters which protesters stormed and put on fire.
Quota system triggered Bangladesh quota system
The immediate trigger for protests is the public’s opposition to Bangladesh’s quota system that reserves more than 50 per cent of civil services post to specific groups, such as the children of veterans of Bangladesh’s war of liberation against Pakistan.
The critics say the system is rigged in favour of Hasina as her family-run BAL was central to the war of liberation and her father Mujibur Rahman was the leader of the liberation movement and was the first president of the independent Bangladesh. Hence, these seats are effectively reserved for children of Hasina’s family’s supporters, say critics. Protest marches have taken place on a nearly-daily basis this month which seek an end to the system.
Hasina is also facing protests over rising resentment against her 15-year reign in Bangladesh in which critics have claimed significant democratic decline. In the general elections held earlier this year, Hasina’s BAL practically won unopposed as the BNP, the main opposition party, had boycotted the elections.
Earlier in the day, protesters stormed a jail in Narsingdi and freed hundreds of prisoners. They also set the prison on fire.
UN calls for restraint & investigation
United Nations human rights chief Volker Turk called for restraint from all sides and pressed for the need of impartial investigations and accountability.
Turk said that there need to be impartial, prompt, and exhaustive investigations into these attacks and accountability must be fixed.
Turk called upon Hasina’s government to respect the right to protest and free expressions. He said dialogue was the only way forward.
“The Government should take the necessary measures to ensure the protection and safety of the students participating in peaceful protests, and to guarantee the right to freedom of assembly and expression without fear of attacks against their lives and physical integrity, or other forms of repression,” said Turk in a statement.
#Bangladesh: @volker_turk calls for accountability after reports of deadly violence.
All sides must exercise restraint & security forces must ensure that use of force is in line with international human rights law.
Engaging young population is best and only way forward.
Nationwide internet suspension reported in Bangladesh
Amid widespread violence, nationwide internet suspension has also been reported in Bangladesh.
Internet freedom watchdog NetBlocks said on Friday that up to 90 per cent of internet connectivity in Bangladesh remained suspended since Thursday.
“Metrics show connectivity flatlining at 10 per cent of ordinary levels, raising concerns over public safety as little news flows in or out of the country,” said the watchdog in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
⚠️ Update: A day has passed since #Bangladesh imposed a national internet shutdown amid student protests and a deadly crackdown.
Metrics show connectivity flatlining at 10% of ordinary levels, raising concerns over public safety as little news flows in or out of the country. pic.twitter.com/ONarFMNEb4
UN human rights chief Turk also mentioned the internet suspension in his statement and said it “disproportionately restricts the enjoyment of the right to freedom” and urged Hasina’s government to reinstate internet at the earliest.
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