Bangladesh imposes nationwide curfew as toll during anti-quota agitation rises to 105

Bangladesh on Friday imposed a nationwide curfew after anti-reservation protests in the capital Dhaka grew violent leaving at least 105 persons dead, reported AFP. The toll is hard to assess because of a communications blackout in the country.

The government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina made the announcement after an attack on the Narsingdi prison in central Bangladesh that led to the release of several inmates, reported the BBC.

The army will be deployed to the streets to restore order, government Press Secretary Naeemul Islam Khan said.

Internet services and mobile data continued to be down on Friday in Dhaka, reported the Associated Press.

The protests are in response to a High Court ruling in June that reinstated the 30% quota in government jobs for family members of freedom fighters of the 1971 Bangladeshi Liberation War.

The reservation system, which was abolished in 2018 following widespread protests, has rekindled anger among young job seekers and students who fear that they would be deprived of opportunities because of the quota.

In recent days, thousands of anti-quota protestors have been clashing with the police and members of the ruling Awami League party’s student wing.

The country’s law minister Anisul Haque told the BBC that the government was open to discussing the protestors’ concerns. “I'm sure they are also discussing whether they will come...

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