Bangladesh in Turmoil: Student-Led Protests Rock Dhaka

Bangladesh soldiers patrolled Dhaka amid curfew to control deadly student protests over job quotas, resulting in over 100 deaths and thousands injured. Internet suspension and communication blackouts have isolated the nation. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government imposed curfews and deployed the military to manage unrest, with decisions pending further assessments.

Bangladesh soldiers patrolled the deserted streets of Dhaka on Saturday, enforcing a curfew aimed at quelling lethal student-led protests over government job quotas, which have claimed at least 105 lives this week. An ongoing suspension of internet and text message services has cut off Bangladesh from the world, as authorities crack down on protests that persist despite a ban on public gatherings.

International communication has largely failed, and local media websites and social media remain inactive. The recent clashes have injured thousands, with the Dhaka Medical College Hospital alone receiving 27 bodies within two hours on Friday evening.

For five days, police have resorted to tear gas and sound grenades to disperse protesters, who have responded by hurling bricks and setting vehicles ablaze. These demonstrations, the largest since Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's re-election, are driven by high youth unemployment in the 170-million-strong nation.

To manage the unrest, Hasina's government has imposed a curfew and deployed the military. The curfew was briefly eased on Saturday to allow citizens to gather supplies and complete chores but will be reassessed on Sunday morning.

Checkpoints manned by army personnel scrutinized identification cards of those venturing out. The nationwide protests erupted over a controversial 30% government job quota for families of independence war veterans. Although the quota was scrapped in 2018, a court reinstated it last month, sparking renewed anger.

In Narsingdi district, protesters stormed a jail, freeing over 850 inmates and setting the facility on fire. Scattered arson incidents were reported across the country.

Prime Minister Hasina canceled planned visits to Spain and Brazil as a result of the unrest. Many opposition leaders and activists have been arrested, including Nahid Islam, a key student protest coordinator.

International rights groups have criticized the internet suspension and the actions of security forces. The European Union expressed deep concern over the violence and loss of life.