Internet and mobile data services remain down despite apparent calm in Bangladesh, following a verdict that scaled back a controversial quota system for government jobs after weeks of relentless protests that turned deadly.
The government also declared Monday a public holiday, with only essential services operational. This comes after a shoot-on-sight curfew was imposed days earlier. Soldiers could be seen patrolling the capital and other areas.
The South Asian country has seen clashes between police and mainly students demanding an end to a quota that reserved 30 percent of government jobs for relatives of veterans who fought in Bangladesh’s 1971 war of independence.
The violence has left more than 100 people dead, according to at least four local newspapers. Authorities have not yet released official figures on the deaths. Communications were cut off on Thursday as tensions escalated.
There were no immediate reports of violence Monday morning, after the Supreme Court ordered the previous day to reduce the veterans quota to 5%, with 93% of jobs awarded on merit. The remaining 2% will be reserved for ethnic minorities as well as trans people and people with disabilities.
On Sunday night, some student protesters urged the government to restore internet service. Hasnat Abdullah, coordinator of the Students Against Discrimination movement, told The Associated Press that they were withdrawing calls for a complete shutdown, which they had tried to impose last week.
“We are issuing a 48-hour ultimatum to end the digital crackdown and restore internet connectivity,” he said, adding that security guards deployed at various universities should be withdrawn, student hostels reopened and measures taken for students to return to their campuses safely. Abdullah also said they wanted the government to end the curfew and ensure that the country returns to normalcy within the next two days.
Students also demanded that some university officials resign after failing to protect campuses. Sarjis Alam, another coordinator of the Students Against Discrimination movement, said they would continue their protests if all their demands were not met. “We cannot back down from our movement like cowards,” he said.
Another key organizer of the student protests, Nahid Islam, told reporters that the internet shutdown had disrupted their ability to communicate and alleged that authorities were trying to create divisions among the protesters. “I am mentally traumatized.” […] “Our unity is destroyed,” he said.
The U.S. Embassy in the capital Dhaka on Sunday called the situation “extremely volatile” and “unpredictable,” adding that guns, tear gas and other weapons were used near the embassy. The embassy said the Bangladeshi military had been deployed and urged Americans to be vigilant, avoid large crowds and reconsider travel plans.
The protests pose the most serious challenge to Bangladesh’s government since Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina won a fourth consecutive term in January elections boycotted by major opposition groups. Universities have been closed, the internet has been cut off and the government has ordered people to stay home.
The protesters had argued that the quota system was discriminatory and benefited supporters of Ms Hasina, whose Awami League party led the independence movement, and wanted it replaced with a merit-based system. Ms Hasina defended the quota system, saying veterans deserve the utmost respect, regardless of their political affiliation.
The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has backed the protests, pledging to hold its own demonstrations as many of its supporters have joined student-led protests.
The Awami League and the BNP have often accused each other of fuelling political chaos and violence, most recently in the run-up to the country’s national elections, which were marred by a crackdown on several opposition figures.