Protesters have set the Bangladesh government 48 hours to meet a new set of demands after the country’s Supreme Court dramatically scaled back a controversial quota system for the allocation of government jobs.
Clashes between demonstrators and security forces have killed at least 147 people across the country since violence broke out last Tuesday.
Thousands were injured as security forces fired tear gas, rubber bullets and stun grenades in an attempt to curb the demonstrations.
Students have been demonstrating for weeks over the allocation of civil service jobs, with protesters calling for the state to end a quota system that reserved 30% of government jobs for veterans who fought in Bangladesh’s war of independence from Pakistan in 1971.
Bangladesh’s Supreme Court ordered the veterans’ quota be cut to 5%, with 93% of jobs allocated on merit – with the remaining 2% set aside for members of ethnic minorities and transgender and disabled people.
Passengers wait at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport days ahead of their scheduled flight due to the curfew. Pic: AP
Soldiers on armoured vehicle patrol in Dhaka. Pic: AP
Despite the change, Bangladesh remained under a curfew, while internet and mobile services were still suspended.
Student protesters have now demanded the release of detained protest leaders, the lifting of curfew and the reopening of universities, which have been shut since Wednesday.
They gave the government a 48-hour deadline to act – though it was not clear what would happen afterwards.
Soldiers stand guard under a footbridge that was set on fire. Pics: Reuters
There were no reports of violence or protests on Monday.
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Pics: Reuters
Media said the curfew would be relaxed for three hours in the afternoon – extended from two hours the previous day – to allow people to buy essentials.
Army tanks were stationed in the streets of the capital Dhaka and armed security personnel were on patrol.
On Sunday the US Embassy in Dhaka described the situation as “extremely volatile” and “unpredictable”.