Bangladesh Restores Mobile Internet After 10-Day Shutdown Amid Deadly Protests

Mobile internet was restored in Bangladesh after a 10-day shutdown aimed at curbing fake news during violent protests over government job quotas. Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak announced 5GB of free internet for users. Violent clashes left over 100 dead, prompting strict security measures by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Bangladesh has reinstated mobile internet services after a 10-day suspension intended to curb the spread of fake news amid violent protests over government job quota reforms. Authorities had halted the internet following deadly nationwide clashes, with Minister of State for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak confirming the restoration on Sunday.

At a press conference, Palak announced that users would receive 5GB of free internet for three days as connectivity resumed. Internet services were initially disrupted on July 18, as escalating violence prompted the shutdown. The Department of Disaster Management building was set on fire during the unrest, further complicating internet services.

While broadband services were gradually restored from July 23, mobile internet remained offline until Sunday. The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has also summoned social media representatives to discuss future measures. Clashes over the controversial government job quota system, which reserves a significant percentage of jobs for war veterans' relatives, have resulted in over 100 reported deaths and stringent security measures.