Bangladesh snaps internet services as anti-quota protests turn violent killing 39
Dhaka/IBNS: 39 people have so far been killed in the violent protests against the quota system for government jobs in Bangladesh forcing the state to snap internet services in a bid to control the situation, media reports said.
The country's junior telecom minister said the government has ordered a complete nationwide shutdown of internet services.
A state broadcaster's building was put on blaze as relentless violence gripped the South Asian country following multiple clashes between the protesters, security officials and pro-government protesters.
Eyewitnesses told Prothom Alo that more than a hundred people entered BTV headquarters by breaking the main gate.
đ§đŠ In Bangladesh, the HQ of the Government Television BTV office has been sieged and burned by student groups pic.twitter.com/7yFZGvjgtN
â Uncensored News (@Uncensorednewsw)Â July 18, 2024
A senior BTV journalist, who didnât want to be named, told the BBC: "The situation was so bad we didnât have any other option but to leave the place. Some of our colleagues were trapped inside. I donât know what happened to them."
The official website of Bangladesh Prime Minister's Office or PMO is not opening and instead the message on it reads, "It's not a protest anymore, it's a war now."
Writings like "Operation HuntDown" and "Stop Killing Students" trigger the speculation over whether the website has been compromised.
The protest began on July 1 after the High Court's reinstatement of the freedom fighters' quota.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has already appealed to students to end the protest.
Law minister Anisul Huq said the government would sit with the demonstrators.
"I have told the attorney general to appeal to the court on Sunday for an early hearing in this regard," he was quoted as saying by Prothom Alo.
BTV office e agun
â Tahermia16 (@Tahermia161)Â July 18, 2024
āĻāĻā§āĻ¨ā§āĻ° āĻŦāĻžāĻŽā§āĻĒāĻžāĻ° āĻĢāĻ˛āĻ¨..āĻŦāĻžāĻ¤āĻžāĻŦā§ āĻ˛ā§āĻŦā§āĻ° āĻāĻžāĻˇ āĻā§āĻŽāĻ¨ āĻāĻ°ā§ āĻāĻ°āĻŦā§ āĻāĻ°#Bangladesh #bangladeshivlogger #SaveBangladeshiStudents pic.twitter.com/b33Env9029
Urging the protesters to postpone the movement, the law minister said, âAs a fatherly figure, I am requesting you to move away from the protest.â
Why is Bangladesh witnessing protests on quota?
Bangladesh has been witnessing the demonstrations for the past several days now with students wanting the government to change to a system which reserves a third of public sector jobs for the relatives of veterans of the countryâs war for independence from Pakistan in 1971.
Demanding for recruitment based on merit, the students called the quota system discriminatory.
Aleem Khan, 22, told the BBC: "The Prime Minister is asking for an end to the violence with one hand whilst, with the other hand, attacking students using pro-ruling party groups and the police."
BREAKING: Violent protests RAGE ON in Bangladesh.
â Steve Hanke (@steve_hanke)Â July 18, 2024
A nationwide INTERNET SHUTDOWN has been implemented as protesters DEMAND the end of government job quotas that favor members of PM Hasina's party the Awami League.
pic.twitter.com/MJDievrh2a
One of the students, Sumi, told the BBC: "I am here to protest against discrimination within the civil service and now that so many students have been killed by the police, I am also protesting against that."
"Our protest is peaceful, but the way in which we were attacked made me feel like we were going to be killed by pro-ruling party groups," the student said.
Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Bangladesh asked its citizens and students to avoid local travel and minimize movement outside living premises.
Top Headlines
-
News
India, China have completed disengagement: Reports
October 31, 2024
-
News
Uzbekistan parties supporting President Mirziyoyev win parliamentary elections as country undergoes reforms
October 29, 2024
-
News
Sanction Indian diplomats, ban RSS: anti-India Canadian leader Jagmeet Singh goes ballistic
October 16, 2024
-
News
Hezbollah drone attack on military base kills four Israeli soldiers
October 14, 2024
-
News
Trudeau govt's vote bank politics: India toughens stand against Canada after latest tirade over Nijjar killing
October 14, 2024
-
News
Lawrence Bishnoi gang, which claimed responsibility for Baba Siddique's murder, sends Salman Khan a message
October 14, 2024
-
News
RG Kar: Bengal junior doctors to hold protest march to Raj Bhavan on 10th day of hunger strike today
October 14, 2024
-
News
Tamil Nadu derailment: 19 injured in Darbhanga Bagmati Express collision with goods train, 13 coaches jump track
October 12, 2024
-
News
Distasteful and disgraceful: Amit Shah on Mallikarjun Kharge's 'won't die till Modi is removed from power' remark
September 30, 2024
-
News
Keep Gods away from politics: Supreme Court slams Andhra govt over Tirupati laddoo row
September 30, 2024