The internet has been cut off and mobile phone services have been severely disrupted in Bangladesh amid student protests that began earlier this week.
The outages do not appear to be linked to the global internet outage that occurred on Friday. But it is also unclear whether the government is trying to silence critics and prevent anti-regime protests from taking place or whether the outages are a result of ongoing violence and attacks on infrastructure.
The unrest has centred on demands to end a quota system that reserves up to 30% of government jobs for relatives of veterans of the 1971 war of independence. Protesters claim the system is discriminatory and are instead seeking a merit-based alternative.
The Associated Press says 28 people have been killed in the country during the protests, citing local media reports. Several prominent members of Bangladesh’s art community have blacked out their portraits in mourning.
diverse I was able to reach one of those people who, on condition of anonymity, confirmed the internet outage, describing it as a “complete shutdown.” “Things are really getting worse,” the person said. The person put the death toll at 32, adding that the movement had now become a “popular protest” against government and police crackdowns.
The internet outage came after violence intensified on Thursday as students tried to impose a “complete shutdown” of the country. Protesters reportedly attacked the headquarters of state-owned Bangladesh Television, damaged property and set vehicles on fire, according to the Associated Press.
A PTV news producer, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, said he managed to escape through a wall as the attackers broke through the main gate and set furniture on fire. While the station continued broadcasting, some Dhaka residents reported losing signal.
By Friday morning, internet and mobile data services appeared to be down in Dhaka, with social media platforms inaccessible. Student protesters announced plans to extend the internet blackout call and urged funeral prayers for the deceased across the country.
The protests have become the most significant unrest since Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s re-election in January. Hasina’s government had previously suspended the quota after protests in 2018, but a recent Supreme Court ruling reinstated it, sparking the current demonstrations. The Supreme Court has suspended that ruling pending an appeal hearing scheduled for Sunday.
