Bangladesh Faces Unrest as Students Protest Quotas for Government Jobs

Bangladesh deployed a paramilitary force on Tuesday after at least five people were killed during violent demonstrations by thousands of university students, raising concerns about potential instability in the country.

For weeks, students in Bangladesh have been protesting against quotas for government jobs that were recently reinstated after being abolished in 2018 following a previous nationwide student protest. The demonstrations have escalated in recent days, with parts of the capital, Dhaka, being blockaded and students boycotting classes. The seriousness of the situation was underscored by female students, who defied curfews to join the protests.

The protests initially began at the University of Dhaka, the country’s leading institution, but have since spread to other universities and cities, taking on a more political tone that has pitted the ruling party against the opposition.

Border Guard Bangladesh, typically responsible for border security, has been deployed to five districts nationwide to maintain law and order amidst the ongoing quota reform movement, as stated by the force.

Since the protests commenced around two weeks ago, hundreds of demonstrators have sustained injuries in clashes with the police and counter-protesters. In light of student safety, government officials announced the indefinite closure of most schools and colleges. Furthermore, access to Facebook, a key platform for protest organization and news dissemination, was partially restricted as of Tuesday night.