Nationwide Curfew and Military Deployment in Bangladesh Amidst Student Protests

Nationwide Curfew Imposed in Bangladesh Amidst Student Protests

The Bangladeshi authorities have declared a nationwide curfew and deployed military forces in response to violent clashes between student-led demonstrators and security personnel, resulting in numerous casualties and bringing the capital city, Dhaka, to a standstill. The curfew, which was announced late on Friday, is set to remain in place indefinitely. However, unnamed government officials have expressed optimism that the situation may stabilize by Monday, although they acknowledge that the circumstances remain unpredictable.

Officials highlighted the necessity of military intervention to curb acts of vandalism and restore public order. In recent weeks, university students across the country have been protesting against a quota system for government jobs, which they argue limits their opportunities by disproportionately benefiting specific groups, including families of individuals who fought for the nation’s independence from Pakistan.

The Awami League, the ruling political party led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has indicated a willingness to engage in negotiations with the student groups. However, student leaders have stood firm, insisting that discussions will only commence once the quota system is abolished permanently.

Initially, the protests were largely peaceful, but tensions escalated rapidly as public frustration with Prime Minister Hasina intensified. Security forces, including police and paramilitary units, employed increasingly aggressive tactics to disperse the crowds, including the use of rubber bullets and pellets. Protesters, armed with sticks and makeshift weapons, clashed with law enforcement and counter-protesters, leading to a chaotic and violent scenario. Casualty figures vary widely; by Friday, government officials reported 33 fatalities, while activist groups claimed the number could be as high as 60.

Social media platforms, particularly Facebook, have been inundated with videos depicting the violent confrontations, and various news outlets have broadcast footage of state buildings ablaze, set alight by the outraged students.

In an effort to maintain public order, the government implemented a shutdown of internet services, justifying the action as a necessary measure to prevent the spread of rumors and misinformation. However, this move also hindered protesters from coordinating their efforts and sharing crucial information, significantly restricting the flow of communication both within the country and beyond its borders.

As the reports of fatalities continue to rise, human rights organizations have condemned the heavy-handed approach taken by the security forces and the internet blackout. “The unlawful force used against protesters reveals a disturbing indifference to the right to life,” Amnesty International stated in a recent declaration. The organization further criticized blanket internet shutdowns, emphasizing that such measures exacerbate instability and panic: “It is reckless to impede access to information during a week marked by escalating violence and a severe crackdown on student-led protests nationwide.”

This is not the first instance of curfew enforcement in Bangladesh’s history. In 2007, during a period of unrest, an army-backed interim government imposed curfews across six major cities to suppress student-led demands for an end to emergency rule. Those curfews effectively cleared the streets of protesters, forced residents to remain indoors, and resulted in a temporary halt to mobile phone services.