Bangladesh imposes curfew, shuts down internet services amid student-led anti-government protests

Bangladesh has imposed a nationwide curfew as student-led anti-government protests grow, and authorities have shut down mobile internet services across the country, citing the need to curb misinformation, the Washington Post reports.

Following the curfew, authorities have also closed schools and universities indefinitely.

Amid ongoing nationwide protests in Bangladesh against job reservation, the Border Security Force (BSF) conducted security checks at the Indian immigration check post at Fulbari in Jalpaiguri.

Bangladesh announced a nationwide curfew on Friday evening after clashes between police and various student groups left dozens dead, according to the Washington Post.

The protest began after violent protests by students against a new policy to reserve a portion of government jobs for descendants of the country’s freedom fighters.

Also, protesters attacked state television headquarters in Dhaka on Thursday and set fire to police booths as they called for a “complete shutdown” of the country.

Street battles between security forces using rubber bullets and tear gas have paralysed life in several areas of Bangladesh, The Washington Post reported, citing Bangladeshi media.

Meanwhile, the websites of several major Bangladeshi newspapers have either not been updated or are completely inaccessible since Thursday. In addition, television channels have also been blocked from broadcasting.

The Indian High Commission in Dhaka is coordinating with local authorities in Bangladesh to provide adequate security to students wishing to travel to India, sources said on Friday.

The Indian Mission, in coordination with the BSF and the Bureau of Immigration, is facilitating Indian students returning to India from Bangladesh.

A total of 245 Indian nationals, including 125 Indian nationals and 13 Nepali students, crossed the Gede border into West Bengal on Friday.

The protests are motivated by demands for reform of the country’s quota system for civil service jobs, which reserves posts for specific groups, including descendants of those who participated in the 1971 independence war against Pakistan.