Bangladesh Restores Mobile Internet services after a 10-day blackout caused by violent student protests over government job quotas. The resumption of services was announced by Junior Minister for Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak, who stated that services would be back online at 3 p.m. local time (0900 GMT).
To compensate for the disruption, customers will receive a 5 GB data bonus for three days.
The government initially shut down mobile internet on July 17, followed by broadband service on July 18, in response to escalating violence. Broadband internet resumed on July 23, and the curfew imposed to manage the situation has since been relaxed.
More than 200 people have been killed since July 16, based on independent estimates, as the government has yet to release an official death toll. Educational institutions remain closed amid the unrest.
The protests began on July 15, when students clashed with police while demanding an end to a policy reserving 30% of government jobs for descendants of veterans from the 1971 war of independence. Following the violence, the Supreme Court ordered the government to reduce these quotas. The veterans’ descendants’ quota was reduced to 5%, and quotas for ethnic minorities, transgender people, and disabled individuals were limited to 2%.
Extensive Raids
In response to the protests, law enforcement agencies have conducted extensive raids across the country, causing widespread apprehension. In Dhaka, authorities divided the city into zones for targeted operations, using a tactic known as a “block raid.” This involves encircling a targeted area with hundreds of law enforcement personnel to prevent suspects from escaping and conducting systematic searches of homes based on intelligence.
Ongoing Crisis
The recent unrest underscores the ongoing tensions in Bangladesh over employment opportunities and the fairness of government job quotas. The government’s actions, including the internet blackout and extensive raids, reflect the serious nature of the crisis and the challenges it faces in maintaining order and addressing the demands of its population.
Bangladesh, hosting around 160 million people, continues to grapple with political instability and economic challenges, which are further exacerbated by such incidents of mass protests and violence.
Global Response
The international community is closely monitoring the situation in Bangladesh. Bangladesh Restores Mobile Internet, but the underlying issues driving the protests remain unresolved. The government’s efforts to manage the situation and implement reforms will be crucial in restoring peace and addressing the grievances of its citizens.
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