Arrests exceed 2,500 amid Bangladesh protest violence

The number of arrests in days of violence in Bangladesh passed the 2,500 mark in an AFP tally on July 23, after protests over employment quotas sparked widespread unrest.

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At least 174 people died, including several police officers, according to a separate AFP count of victims reported by police and hospitals.

What began as demonstrations against politicised admission quotas for sought-after government jobs snowballed last week into some of the worst unrest of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s tenure.

A curfew was imposed and soldiers were deployed across the country, and a nationwide internet blackout drastically restricted the flow of information.

The student group leading the demonstrations suspended protests on July 22 for 48 hours, with its leader saying they had not wanted reform “at the expense of so much blood”.

The restrictions remained in place on July 23 after the army chief said the situation was “under control”.

The telecommunications minister said broadband internet would be restored on the evening of July 23, although he made no mention of mobile internet – a key communication method for protest organisers.

There was a heavy military presence in Dhaka, with bunkers set up at some intersections and key roads blocked with barbed wire. But more people were on the streets, as were hundreds of rickshaws.