Bangladesh student protests: Govt extends curfew ahead of court hearing on quotas

Student protests in Bangladesh continued to intensify on Sunday (July 21) with the death toll in the clashes between the demonstrators and the police climbing to 133, the news agency AFP reported. Students have been protesting against quotas that set aside 30 per cent ofgovernment jobs for the families of those who fought for independence from Pakistan in 1971.

Police fired tear gas to scatter protesters in some areas while the government has banned public gatherings, imposed communications restrictions, deployedarmy in some parts, and imposed a curfew.

On Saturday, troops were patrolling cities across the South Asian country toquell growing unrest, with riot police firing on protesters who defied the curfew.

> Bangladesh's Supreme Courtwas due to rule Sunday on the future of civil service hiring rules that sparked nationwideprotests.

> Ahead of the court's hearing, the government extended the nationwide curfew till 3 pm local time Sunday. Thecontinue for an "uncertain time" following a two-hour break for people to gather supplies, local media reported.

> The USState Department said on Saturday that it raisedBangladesh's travel advisory to level four. In the advisory, the State Department said, "Travelers should not travel toBangladeshdue to ongoing civil unrest in Dhaka. Demonstrations and violent clashes have been reported throughout the city of Dhaka, its neighbouring areas, and throughoutBangladesh."

> The State Department further said that due to the security situation, "there may be a delay in provision of routine consular services." It also said thatdue to security concerns, American Embassy personnel inBangladeshare subject to some movement and travel restrictions, which could limit their ability to provide emergency services to UScitizens inBangladesh.

> Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's governmentdeclared Sunday and Monday as "public holidays" due to the situation in the country, with only emergency services allowed to operate. Authorities had earlier closeduniversities and colleges.

Also watch |Violent protest grips Bangladesh over civil service hiring rules

> The clashes have killed 133 people so far and thousands of othershave been injured. On Friday, at least 300 police personnel were injured in the clashes with demonstrators in multiple locations around Dhaka.

>Internet and text message services inBangladeshhave been suspended since Thursday.Overseas telephone calls mostly failed to connect while the websites ofBangladesh-based media organisations did not update and their social media accounts remained inactive.

> The nationwide curfewwas eased for two hours from noon on Saturday to allow people to shop for supplies and complete other chores, a report by the news agency Reuters said.

> Those venturing outhad their identification cards inspected by army personnel at checkpoints.

(With inputs from agencies)