Bangladesh has imposed a nationwide curfew and deployed military forces in response to widespread deadly unrest related to government job reservations. The violent clashes between student protestors and police have resulted in the deaths of at least 105 people, according to AFP.
The protests, which have been ongoing for over three weeks, escalated significantly this week, prompting around 245 Indian citizens to return home after crossing through border points in the northeast. In a televised address, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina extended an invitation to the students for talks to peacefully resolve the issue. However, it remains uncertain whether the students will accept the government’s offer amid the current volatile situation.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized that the protests are an internal matter for Bangladesh. The MEA assured that 15,000 Indians, including 8,500 students, residing in Bangladesh are safe. The government facilitated the return of 245 Indians, including 125 students, as a precautionary measure.
The unrest reached a critical point when student protestors stormed a prison in Narsingdi district, releasing hundreds of inmates and setting the facility on fire. Demonstrators are demanding the government scrap the 30% job reservation for families of those who fought in the 1971 war of independence with Pakistan. Protestors argue that the quota system benefits supporters of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League, which led the independence movement, and are calling for its replacement with a merit-based system.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma reported that 63 students from the state had safely returned from Bangladesh. He is in constant contact with the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh to facilitate the evacuation of more students.
The situation deteriorated further as agitated demonstrators set fire to the country’s state broadcaster BTV, causing news television channels and BTV to go off the air abruptly on Friday. The official websites of the central bank, the prime minister’s office, and the police were reportedly hacked by a group calling itself “THE R3SISTANC3,” according to Reuters.
The United States condemned the violence, with State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel stressing the importance of ensuring freedom of expression without violence. He emphasized the need for people to express themselves safely and free from harm, a principle the U.S. continues to monitor closely.
Student protester Sarwar Tushar declared that the protests would persist, blaming the government for the killings and demanding the immediate resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He and other protestors maintain that the existing job quota system unjustly favors Awami League supporters and insist on a transition to a merit-based system.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for restraint from all parties involved. He urged authorities to thoroughly investigate all acts of violence and ensure accountability for the perpetrators, underscoring the need for a peaceful resolution to the escalating crisis.
As the situation in Bangladesh remains tense, the imposition of the curfew and military deployment reflect the government’s attempts to restore order and address the grievances of the protestors. The international community continues to watch closely, hoping for a swift and peaceful resolution to the conflict.
