Curfew extended in Bangladesh as top court set to rule on job quotas that sparked deadly unrest
The nationwide demonstrations — called for mainly by student groups — began weeks ago to protest a quota system that reserves up to 30% of government jobs for relatives of veterans who fought in Bangladesh's war of independence in 1971. Violence erupted Tuesday, with the Daily Prothom Alo newspaper on Saturday reporting the death of at least 103 people so far.
Bangladeshi authorities haven't shared any official numbers of those killed and injured.
During the week, police fired tear gas and rubber bullets and hurled smoke grenades to scatter stone-throwing protesters who filled the streets and university campuses. Sporadic clashes in some parts of Dhaka, the capital, were reported on Saturday but it was not immediately clear whether there were any fatalities.
Bangladesh security forces fire bullets and sound grenades as protests over government jobs escalate
On Sunday, as the Supreme Court was set to deliver a verdict on whether to abolish the job quotas, soldiers patrolled cities across the South Asian country, while a nationwide internet blackout continued to remain in force. Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said the curfew will be relaxed from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday for people to run essential errands.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government has declared Sunday and Monday as public holidays, with only emergency services allowed to operate.
The chaos highlights cracks in Bangladesh's governance and economy and the frustration of young people who lack good jobs upon
