Since Thursday, internet and text message services have been suspended, isolating Bangladesh from the rest of the world.
Massive crowds of Bangladeshi citizens, including university students, have flooded the streets in recent weeks, demanding a reform of the government job distribution system.
Police have fired tear gas and hurled sound grenades to scatter protesters as demonstrators clashed with security personnel, throwing bricks and igniting vehicles.
On Saturday, police fired live round towards the protesting students in Dhaka. The incident occurred in Rampura area, and at least one individual among the thousands of protesters sustained injuries.
Here are the top developments:
Around 1000 Indians returned so far
Ministry of external affairs on Saturday informed that around 1000 students have safely returned to India, so far. According to a statement released by the MEA, efforts are being made to ensure a smooth passage for Indian citizens. The ministry of external affairs (MEA) said that it continues to coordinate with civil aviation, immigration, land ports and BSF authorities to ensure a smooth passage for Indian citizens.
The majority of the students, numbering 778, have crossed back into India through various land ports. Additionally, around 200 students have taken advantage of regular flight services, departing from Dhaka and Chittagong airports, to return home safely, MEA said.
The protests have escalated in violence, leading to a surge of anger against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina following her deployment of police and paramilitary forces to control the protesters. The protests have resulted in the loss more than 100 lives this week, and hundreds of others injured.
What has happened so far?
Students have been protesting for weeks against a quota system for government jobs that favors certain groups, including the families of those who fought for independence from Pakistan.
University of Dhaka students began protests on July 1, which later expanded to other prestigious universities in the country. The demonstrations escalated when the Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League’s pro-quota student wing began assaulting the protesters, according to media reports.
The government has deployed police and paramilitary forces, including an anti-terrorism unit, to quell protests. They have also closed down schools and colleges. Authorities claimed to have reduced internet speed to prevent the circulation of misinformation and ensure public safety, making it more challenging for protesters to coordinate and plan via social media.
‘All Indian nationals safe’
The ministry of external affairs has assured that all Indian citizens residing in Bangladesh are secure, and the government is closely observing the current situation while maintaining contact with officials in the country. This statement comes amidst the ongoing violent protests taking place in Bangladesh.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, during the weekly press briefing on Friday, said, “As you are aware, there are protests which are happening in Bangladesh. We have around 8500 students and somewhere around 15,000 Indian nationals resident in the country.”
The ministry has issued an advisory for Indian nationals in Bangladesh, and external affairs minister S Jaishankar is personally overseeing the situation.
‘Internal matter of Bangladesh’: MoS Kirti Vardhan Singh
The Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, has referred to the ongoing protests in Bangladesh against the quota system in government jobs as an internal matter of the country. He expressed his concern over the current situation, saying that it is “worrying”.
Speaking to news agency ANI, Singh said, “This is a worrying issue. Students’ issues should always be heard, and we are hopeful that the Bangladesh government will resolve is matter soon.”
Government imposed curfew
The Bangladesh government on Friday announced the implementation of a nationwide curfew and the deployment of military forces in response to ongoing demonstrations led by students, BBC Bangla reported.
On Saturday, streets of Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, were empty as soldiers patrolled the city during a curfew. Those venturing out on the streets had their identification cards inspected by army personnel at different check points
Protesters storm prison
Protesters on Friday stormed a prison in the district of Narsingdi in the central Bangladesh, and set free hundreds of prisoners.
Despite a police-imposed prohibition on public assemblies, massive demonstrations continue to take place in Dhaka.
Protesting students set state broadcaster alight
On Thursday, protesters set fire to the state broadcaster’s headquarters, as demonstrations intensified.
Police used rubber bullets to disperse hundreds of protesters. The demonstrators fought back and pursued the retreating officers to the broadcaster’s headquarters.
The protesters set fire to the network’s reception building and numerous vehicles parked outside. BTV stated in a Facebook post that “many people” were trapped inside the building, but a station executive later informed that they had safely evacuated the premises.
Just a day before the incident, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had appeared on the network in an attempt to calm the escalating clashes.
What led to protests?
The ongoing protests in Bangladesh are being led by young people who are against the reinstatement of a 30 per cent quota in government jobs at all levels for those who fought for the country’s independence from Pakistan, as well as their descendants.
The situation escalated after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina made a statement on July 14, seemingly comparing the protesters to the descendants of razakars, who were mercenary collaborators of the Pakistan military during the 1971 war. These collaborators were responsible for a brutal campaign of murder and rape, resulting in an estimated 3 million Bangladeshi deaths within a few months.
On June 5, the high court division of the supreme court of Bangladesh ruled on a case filed by the “children of nationally recognised freedom fighters”, reinstating the 30 per cent reservation and overturning a government circular from October 2018 that had abolished the freedom-fighter and other quotas.
Prior to the national elections in December 2018, Prime Minister Hasina had announced decision. From April onwards, students and teachers had been protesting, demanding that quotas be limited to 10 per cent. There had been instances of violence since then, although on a smaller scale compared to this week, with protesters clashing with police and members of Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student wing of Hasina’s ruling Awami League party.
The government says that it agrees with the students this time as well. It has filed an appeal with the Supreme Court, which has put the high court’s order on hold and will consider the case on August 7. Hasina has urged the protesters to remain patient until then.
‘Shoot-on-sight’ order issued
The government of Bangladesh has enforced a stringent curfew, accompanied by a “shoot-on-sight” directive, following a wave of deadly clashes over the distribution of government jobs. The curfew, which began at midnight, was briefly lifted from noon to 2 pm to allow citizens to attend to essential tasks. It is set to remain in effect until 10 am on Sunday, granting law enforcement the authority to open fire on unruly crowds in extreme situations.
The government imposed a curfew to suppress additional unrest following confrontations between law enforcement and demonstrators on the streets and at universities in Dhaka and other urban areas throughout the nation. To disrupt online communication, officials restricted mobile and internet services. Furthermore, multiple television news networks ceased broadcasting, and most local newspaper websites were inaccessible.
