Bangladesh suspends mobile internet after student protests

Bangladeshi authorities cut several mobile internet services on Thursday for “security” reasons following student protests.

“Mobile internet has been temporarily suspended due to various rumors and the unstable situation created… on social media,” Zunaid Ahmed Palak, the junior information technology minister, told reporters.

Services would be restored once the situation returned to normal, Palak added. Shops and offices were open in Dhaka, the capital, but there were fewer buses on the streets. The government has ordered schools and universities to close indefinitely amid the protests.

Why are students protesting in Bangladesh?

Students have been demanding the abolition of a quota of 30% reserved for the families of those who fought in the 1971 war of independence from Pakistan. Protesters argue that the reservations have led to widespread unemployment in the South Asian country.

Bangladesh has nearly 32 million people who are out of work or education among a population of 170 million.

At least six people have been killed and hundreds injured in the protests in recent days.

On Thursday, protests continued nationwide, with police firing tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse demonstrators.

Government to investigate casualties

Authorities had shut all public and private universities indefinitely from Wednesday and sent riot police and the Border Guard paramilitary force to university campuses to keep order.

In a speech on Wednesday, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina promised her government would set up a judicial panel to investigate the deaths after police fired bullets and tear gas to scatter protesters.

Hasina urged the students to remain patient until the Supreme Court hears the government’s appeal against a High Court decision on August 7, which ordered the reinstatement of the 30% quota.

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