Dhaka, July 19 (EFE).- At least three people died on Friday, which marked the fifth consecutive day of widespread violence that have marred a students’ protest against a quota system for government jobs in Bangladesh.
The authorities suspended internet and fixed communication services and banned mass gatherings of people to try and control the situation.
Rubel Hossain, deputy general manager of the Farazy Hospital, told EFE that the body of a protester was brought to their medical center in Dhaka on Friday.
Another body arrived on Friday at the Dhaka university hospital, while one person succumbed to his injuries from the previous day during the protests, health officials informed EFE.
These were the first confirmed deaths on Friday, a day after more than two dozen people died and over 600 were injured in what was the deadliest day of protests since the beginning of the protests.
This brings the total number of deaths ed in the last two days during the protests to 39, the toll independently verified by EFE.
The suspension of fixed communications and mobile internet has plunged the country into a communications blackout since 9pm local time on Thursday, with no means of accessing online media or sharing information on social media.
Moreover, the Dhaka Police on Friday confirmed to EFE that a ban on public gatherings and events had been imposed in the national capital.
The protests began in early July after the Supreme Court asked the government to re-establish a job quota for descendants of the country’s independence fighters.
Although initially peaceful, the demonstrations turned violent on Monday after the government rejected the students’ demand.
While the government on Thursday expressed willingness to meet the protesting students to evaluate their demands, it was rejected by them.
These are the first major demonstrations Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has faced since taking office for the fourth consecutive term in January, following an election boycotted by the opposition. EFE
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