Bangladesh in Turmoil: Deadly Protests Over Government Job Quotas

Amid a national curfew, Bangladesh soldiers patrolled Dhaka's streets to control student-led protests against government job quotas. The internet and text services have been suspended since Thursday. The violent protests have resulted in over 100 deaths and thousands of injuries. Demonstrators are angered by job quotas and high youth unemployment.

Bangladesh soldiers patrolled Dhaka's deserted streets on Saturday as a curfew aimed at quelling deadly student-led protests against government job quotas remained in effect. The protests have left more than 100 people dead this week.

The government suspended internet and text messaging services on Thursday, severing Bangladesh's connection to the outside world as police clamped down on ongoing demonstrations despite a ban on public gatherings. At least 105 people have been killed and thousands injured in violent clashes, according to hospital data across Bangladesh, with Dhaka Medical College Hospital alone receiving 27 bodies on Friday evening.

Protests erupted due to student resentment over new job quotas, with 30% reserved for families of those who fought for independence from Pakistan, igniting old political tensions. Police have used tear gas and sound grenades to disperse protesters, who have retaliated by throwing bricks and setting vehicles on fire. On Friday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government imposed a national curfew and deployed the military.

The curfew will lift for two hours at noon on Saturday for essential activities, resuming until Sunday morning. This turmoil reflects deeper issues, including high youth unemployment in a country of 170 million people. International rights groups and the European Union have expressed concern over the government's heavy-handed response.