Dhaka's Rush-Hour Traffic Resumes as Curfew Eases Amid Student-Led Protests

Dhaka's rush-hour traffic returned as Bangladesh eased a curfew imposed after deadly student-led protests against government job quotas. The Supreme Court directed 93% of jobs to be filled by merit, calming the unrest. Offices, factories, and banks reopened, though some roads remained blocked for security reasons.

Rush-hour traffic returned to Dhaka on Wednesday as a curfew was eased following four days of nationwide shutdown due to deadly student-led protests against government job quotas. Offices and broadband internet were largely restored, though social media remained suspended, days after clashes between protesters and security forces resulted in nearly 150 deaths.

Calm prevailed since Sunday as the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government, allowing 93% of jobs to be merit-based. The garment and textiles industries, key to Bangladesh's economy, began reopening factories. S.M. Mannan, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, confirmed the smooth resumption of operations.

Residents were commuting to work as public buses resumed in some areas. Local news websites, dormant since Friday, were also back online. The curfew restrictions were relaxed for specific hours on Wednesday and Thursday, allowing offices to operate from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. However, roads remained partially blocked for security reasons.