Curfew in Dhaka: Student-Led Protests and Internet Blackout Shake Bangladesh

Bangladesh's capital Dhaka was under a stringent curfew after student-led protests against government job quotas resulted in over 110 deaths. Internet and text messaging services were suspended, crippling communication. The government deployed the military to control the unrest, marking the most significant protests since Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's re-election.

Soldiers patrolled the deserted streets of Dhaka on Saturday, enforcing a curfew imposed in response to student-led protests against government job quotas. The unrest has claimed at least 110 lives this week. Internet and text message services remain suspended, isolating the nation as police crack down on defiant protesters.

Communication breakdowns were widespread, with overseas telephone calls mostly failing to connect and local media websites remaining inactive. John Heidemann, chief scientist at USC Viterbi's Information Sciences Institute, noted the drastic nature of the shutdown, likening it to the Egyptian revolution of 2011.

The shutdown affected essential services, leaving many without power. Hospitals reported thousands of injuries, with the Dhaka Medical College Hospital alone receiving 27 bodies between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Friday. Despite police efforts, protests continue, driven by high youth unemployment. The government has deployed the military, issued shoot-on-sight orders, and has eased the curfew for brief periods to allow people to gather supplies.