Dozens Killed in Bangladesh Government Job Quota Reform Protest

SEAToday.com, Dhaka - Dozens of people have been killed in Bangladesh since the nationwide Quota Reform Protest had taken a worse turn this week. There were varying reports of the total death toll with AFP’s count from hospital reports on Friday (7/19) stated as high as 105 people.

The government late Friday announced a nationwide curfew and ordered the deployment of military forces to maintain order following days of deadly clashes. The decision came after police and paramilitary forces were deployed across Dhaka to lock down campuses and break up protests. Internet services and mobile data were widely disrupted on Thursday night and remained down the next day in the capital. On Friday the police banned all gatherings in Dhaka and were seen firing at crowds of protesters.

The protesters demand 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 PM Sheikh Hasina, and demand it be replaced with a merit-based system.