Internet is still down in Bangladesh despite apparent calm following deadly protests

Article Content

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — Bangladesh remained without internet service for a fifth straight day and the government declared a public holiday Monday, as authorities maintained tight control despite apparent calm after a court order to curtail a controversial government job allocation system that sparked violent protests.

This comes days after a curfew was imposed with an order to shoot immediately, and army personnel could be seen patrolling the capital and other areas.

Article Content

The South Asian nation has seen clashes between police and student protesters demanding an end to a 30 percent quota of government jobs for relatives of veterans of Bangladesh’s 1971 independence war. The violence has left more than 100 people dead, according to at least four local newspapers. Authorities have yet to release official figures for the death toll.

There were no immediate reports of violence on Monday morning after the Supreme Court ordered the veterans quota to be cut to 5% the previous day. This means 93% of civil service jobs will be merit-based, with the remaining 2% reserved for members of ethnic minorities as well as transgender people and people with disabilities.

On Sunday night, some of the protesting students urged the government to restore internet services. Hasnat Abdullah, coordinator of the anti-discrimination student movement, told The Associated Press that they had withdrawn their calls for a complete internet shutdown, which they had tried to impose last week.

“But we are issuing a 48-hour ultimatum to stop the digital campaign and restore internet connectivity,” he said, adding that security officials deployed in various universities should be withdrawn, student hostels should be reopened and necessary steps should be taken so that students can return to their campuses safely. Abdullah also said they want the government to end the curfew and ensure that the country returns to normal within two days.

Article Content

Article Content

The students also demanded the resignation of some university officials after they failed to protect the campus. Sargis Alam, another coordinator of the anti-discrimination students’ movement, said they would continue their protests if all their demands were not met. “We cannot retreat from our movement like cowards,” he added.

Nahid Islam, a key organizer of the student protests, told reporters that the internet blackout had disrupted their ability to communicate, and alleged that authorities were trying to create divisions among protesters. “I am traumatized… Our unity is being destroyed,” he said.

The US embassy in the capital, Dhaka, on Sunday described the situation as “highly volatile” and “unpredictable,” adding that firearms, tear gas and other weapons had been used in the vicinity of the embassy. It said the Bangladeshi military had been deployed and urged Americans to be vigilant, avoid large crowds and reconsider travel plans.

The protests pose the most serious challenge to Bangladesh’s government since Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina won a fourth straight term in January elections that were boycotted by the main opposition groups. Universities have been closed, internet services have been cut and the government has ordered people to stay at home.

Article Content

The protesters had alleged that the quota system was discriminatory and favoured supporters of Hasina, whose Awami League party led the independence movement, and demanded that it be replaced with a merit-based system. Hasina defended the quota system, saying veterans deserved the highest respect regardless of political affiliation.

The main opposition party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, has backed the protests and vowed to hold its own demonstrations, while many of its supporters have joined the student-led protests.

The Awami League and the BNP have often traded accusations of fomenting political chaos and violence, most recently ahead of the country’s national elections, which have been marred by the repression of many opposition figures.

Article Content