Bangladesh Violence: Section 144 Imposed In Dhaka, Mobile Internet Suspended Indefinitely

Around 97 people have been killed and several others injured in violent clashes in Bangladesh, where police fired tear gas and used grenades to disperse tens of thousands of protesters calling for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation. As the violence escalated, Section 144 was imposed in Dhaka, and mobile internet services were suspended in several areas from 6 PM on Sunday for an indefinite period.

The Bangladesh Home Ministry announced a curfew in the Dhaka Metropolitan area and all divisional headquarters, city corporations, municipalities, industrial areas, district, and upazila headquarters.

India Issues Travel Advisory For Nationals
India has advised its nationals to avoid traveling to Bangladesh until further notice. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has also urged its citizens currently in Bangladesh to exercise extreme caution and limit their movements.

“In view of ongoing happenings, Indian nationals are strongly advised against travelling to Bangladesh till any further notice,” the MEA stated on Sunday.

“All Indian nationals presently in Bangladesh are advised to exercise full caution, restrict their movements, and remain in contact with High Commission of India in Dhaka, Bangladesh through their emergency conatct numbers 8801958383679, 8801958383680, 8801937400591,” the Ministry added.

The demonstrators are demanding Hasina’s resignation after earlier protests, which began with students calling for an end to a quota system in government jobs, turned violent and resulted in 200 deaths.

The protests initially started last month as students demanded the end of a quota system that reserved 30 percent of government jobs for the families of veterans who fought in Bangladesh’s war of independence against Pakistan in 1971. As the violence escalated, the country’s Supreme Court reduced the quota to 5 percent of jobs, with 3 percent for veterans’ relatives. However, protests have continued, demanding accountability for the violence, which demonstrators attribute to the government’s use of excessive force.