Dhaka: Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government on Friday announced a nationwide curfew in Bangladesh. Along with this, ordered the deployment of military forces to maintain order after violence broke out during days of protests demanding reform of the reservation system in government jobs. Obaidul Quader, general secretary of the ruling Awami League party in Bangladesh, made this announcement. This announcement was made after police and security officials opened fire on protesters and banned all gatherings in the capital. According to reports, several people have died in the violence. Quader said that the army has been deployed to help the civil administration maintain order.
Internet and mobile services shut down
Let us tell you that protests have been going on for several days in Bangladesh demanding reforms in the reservation system in government jobs. Meanwhile, on Friday, police and security officials opened fire and fired tear gas shells at the protesters. Internet and mobile services have also been shut down amid violent protests. Protests started in the capital Dhaka and some places a few weeks ago, but they have gained momentum since Monday. These protests are the biggest challenge for Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Police and paramilitary forces deployed
The firing on protesters came as protesting students attempted to call for a “complete shutdown” in the country. Officials could not be immediately contacted to confirm the death toll. The chaos has exposed the frustration of young graduates facing cracks in Bangladesh's governance and economy and a lack of good jobs. The government has deployed police and paramilitary forces across the capital to close campuses and prevent protests.
Many services were disrupted
On Friday, Dhaka police said they were banning all gatherings and protests in the capital. Internet services and mobile data were widely disrupted in the capital Dhaka on Thursday night and remained down on Friday. Social media platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp were also not working. Internet outages on Friday disrupted flights, banks, media outlets and companies around the world, but the disruptions in Bangladesh were far worse than elsewhere.
What are the demands of the protesters
Let us tell you that the protesters have been holding rallies for several days against the system of reserving some public sector jobs for the relatives of the heroes who fought in the Liberation War against Pakistan in 1971. They argue that this system is discriminatory and is benefiting the supporters of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, whose Awami League party led the liberation movement. The students want it to be transformed into a merit-based system. At the same time, Hasina defended the reservation system, saying that those who contributed to the struggle should be respected regardless of their political affiliation.
