Internet and mobile services were cut off in Bangladesh on Friday, following days of violent protests over government job allocations. Local media reports that at least 28 people have died this week.
The protests began weeks ago but escalated sharply on Monday. This unrest is the largest since Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was re-elected for a fourth consecutive term in a January election, boycotted by the main opposition parties.
The internet shutdown came after violence surged on Thursday. Students attempted to impose a “complete shutdown” on the country. Reports of deaths increased, and protesters attacked the head office of state-run Bangladesh Television. They broke through a main gate, set vehicles on fire, and torched the reception area.
On Friday morning, internet services and mobile data appeared to be down in the capital, Dhaka, and social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp were not loading.
The protesters are demanding an end to 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.
They argue the system is discriminatory and benefits supporters of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, whose Awami League party led the independence movement, and they want it replaced with a merit-based system.
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