UPDATES WITH DEATH TOLL; CHANGES HEADER, DECK, LEDE
By Faisal Mahmud and Riyaz ul Khaliq
DHAKA, Bangladesh / ISTANBUL (AA) – Situation remains volatile in Bangladesh amid communications blackout while death toll surged over 50 on Friday.
Most of the deaths were reported in Dhaka, police sources told Anadolu correspondent in the capital, the center of protests against reservations in public jobs.
More than 2,000 people have been injured during the clashes across the country, health sources said.
Despite ban on large processions or gatherings in capital Dhaka, clashes between demonstrators and security forces continued throughout the day, which resulted in at least seven more deaths, taking toll to 52.
However, the number of casualties is subject to change.
The police sources said that 38 people were killed during clashes between protesters and security forces on Thursday.
Bangladeshi military has been tasked to protect the residence of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Demonstrations have also been held in the port city of Chittagong, as well as in Narayan Ganj.
Besides police, paramilitary forces have been deployed to control the situation.
- Ruling party offers reducing quota to 20%
The South Asian nation has seen protests against the 56% quota system in public jobs surge this week, with the government closing educational institutions across Bangladesh.
Students have, however, refused to leave the college and university campuses.
Some 30% of the 56% quota in public jobs have been reserved for sons and grandsons of those who participated in Bangladesh’s war of liberation in 1971.
There is a near-total information blackout with no broadband and mobile internet connectivity in the country.
Social media has also been restricted.
Most of the local media outlets have not updated their websites after the government shut down the internet.
Protesters on Thursday also set ablaze the building of the state-run TV in Dhaka.
The ruling Awami League party's secretary-general has offered to reduce the quota in public jobs to 20%.
And the government is expected to file an appeal on Sunday with the Supreme Court to reduce the quota to 20%.
Trade and businesses remained partially shut in Dhaka due to violent demonstrations.
The government has announced a judicial commission to probe the killings.
Amid volatile situation, international students living in Bangladesh have started to leave for their home nations.
Malaysia said it is facilitating some of its students who intend to return home from Bangladesh.
Some 245 students have already reached India on their way home.
*Ahmad Adil contributed from New Delhi