Bangladesh still without internet as things calm down after deadly protests

Bangladesh is without internet for a fifth day and the government declared Monday, July 22, a public holiday. Leaders made the move to stay in control as tensions deescalated after last week’s deadly protests.

On Sunday, July 21, the country’s high court scaled back a controversial system for awarding government jobs, which sparked violent protests . Officials ultimately implemented a curfew and gave the military shoot-on-sight orders for those disobeying the curfew.

The clashes started with protesters, mainly students, demanding the government to end a quota that set aside 30% of government jobs for family members of “ freedom fighters .” The freedom fighters fought in the country’s war for independence in 1971.

Under the high court’s Sunday ruling, only 5% of government jobs will be saved for freedom fighters’ families. That means 93% of civil service jobs in Bangladesh will now be filled through a merit-based system , which is what protesters called for. The remaining 2% of jobs will be reserved for members of ethnic minorities as well as transgender and disabled people.

Local news sources say at least 100 people died after the protests turned violent. However, the government has not released an official number.

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