Bangladesh’s army has imposed a “shoot-at-sight” curfew across the country after days of clashes between student-led protesters and the police.
At least 105 people have been killed and thousands injured this week, according to data from hospitals around the south Asian country.
Internet and mobile services have been blocked since Thursday, cutting off Bangladesh from the rest of the world as the police continued to crack down on demonstrations since banning public gatherings.
The protests over the allocation of civil service jobs began weeks ago but erupted when violence broke out on Tuesday.
Since then police have fired tear gas and hurled stun grenades in an attempt to scatter protesters, while demonstrators threw bricks during clashes with officers and set fire to vehicles.
Smoke billows as demonstrators clash with the police in the capital. Pic: Reuters
On Friday, the government imposed a strict national curfew and deployed the army.
A “shoot-at-sight” order has been put in place, giving security forces the authority to fire on protesters in extreme cases, according to Obaidul Quader, the general secretary of the ruling Awami League party.
Paramilitary forces on the streets of Dhaka. Pics: Reuters
Some TV news channels were also taken off the air and the websites of most Bangladesh newspapers were not loading or being updated.
Local media said some 800 inmates broke out of a prison in Narsingdi, north of the capital Dhaka, after protesters stormed the jail and set it on fire on Friday.
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What’s behind the Bangladesh protests?
The protests have been driven by anger among youths who lack good jobs after graduation.
The protesters are calling for the state to end a quota system that sets aside up to 30% of government jobs for veterans who fought in Bangladesh’s war of independence from Pakistan in 1971.
They argue the system favours allies of the country’s ruling party, which led the independence movement, and want it to be replaced by a merit-based system.
Police working to control the protests. Pics: Reuters
Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has defended the system, saying veterans deserve the greatest respect for their contributions during the war, regardless of their political affiliation.
Protesters shield themselves with metal sheets during clashes with police. Pics: Reuters
International rights groups have criticised the actions of security forces and the suspension of internet services. The European Union said it is deeply concerned by the violence and loss of life.
Representatives from both sides met late on Friday in an attempt to find a resolution.
The country’s law minister Anisul Huq said the government was open to discussing the student leaders’ demands, which included a reform of the quota system, an opening of student dormitories across the country and for university officials to step down for failing to prevent violence on campuses.
Ms Hasina’s government had halted the job quotas following mass protests in 2018, but in June the country’s High Court nullified the decision and reinstated them after relatives of 1971 veterans filed petitions.
The Supreme Court then suspended that ruling pending an appeal hearing. It said it will take up the issue on Sunday and Ms Hasina has called on protesters to wait for the court’s verdict.