Bangladesh Violence: Curfew Extended Ahead Of SC Hearing On Job Quotas

Initially imposed on Friday, the curfew has now been extended till 3 pm (0900 GMT) today, following a temporary suspension for people to gather essential

A fresh curfew was announced today in Bangladesh to manage violent protests led by students, which have resulted in the deaths of at least 115 people. The move comes ahead of a Supreme Court session later today regarding government job quotas that ignited the unrest.

Initially imposed on Friday, the curfew has now been extended till 3 pm (0900 GMT) today, following a temporary suspension for people to gather essentials.

According to local media, it will continue for an “indefinite period.” Universities and colleges have been shut since Wednesday.

In the capital, Dhaka, where the protests originated and escalated into clashes between demonstrators and security forces, soldiers have been constantly patrolling the streets. A blanket ban has also been imposed on internet and text messaging services in Bangladesh, isolating the country as police cracked down on protesters who defied prohibitions on public gatherings.

The protests erupted nationwide due to student opposition to government job quotas, which included a 30% reservation for families of independence fighters from Pakistan.

Although Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s administration abolished the quota system in 2018, a court reinstated it last month.

The Supreme Court has temporarily suspended this decision pending a hearing, which has been moved to Sunday from its original date of August 7.

These demonstrations mark the largest since Hasina secured her fourth consecutive term earlier this year.

They have been compounded by high youth unemployment, affecting nearly one-fifth of the population.

On Saturday, the US State Department escalated its travel advisory for Bangladesh to level four, advising American citizens against travel to the South Asian nation.

Meanwhile, the Sheikh Hasina-led government has announced today and tomorrow as public holidays, restricting operations to essential emergency services only.

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