The internet has been cut and mobile services have been severely disrupted in Bangladesh due to student protests that started earlier this week.
The disruptions do not appear to be related to the global internet outage taking place on Friday. But it is also unclear whether the government is trying to silence critics and prevent the organization of protests against the regime, or whether the disruptions are a result of continued violence and attacks on infrastructure.
The unrest centers 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 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 changed their exhibition photos to black in condolence over the deaths.
Variety We managed to reach someone who, on condition of anonymity, confirmed the internet outage and described it as a ‘total shutdown’. “Things are really bad,” the person said. The number of deaths stands at 32, the person said, adding that the movement is now a “popular protest” against attempts at repression by the government and police.
The digital blackout followed the intensification of violence on Thursday, with students attempting to impose a “complete shutdown” on the country. According to AP, protesters reportedly attacked the headquarters of Bangladesh’s state television, damaging property and setting vehicles on fire.
A BTV news producer, who spoke anonymously to AP, described how he escaped over a wall when attackers broke through the main gate and set fire to furniture. While the channel reportedly continued broadcasting, some residents of Dhaka reported signal loss.
On Friday morning, internet services and mobile data appeared to be down in Dhaka, and social media platforms were inaccessible. Student protesters announced plans to extend their shutdown call and urged nationwide funeral prayers for the deceased.
The protests have become the biggest unrest since Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s re-election in January. Hasina’s government had previously halted the quotas following the 2018 protests, but a recent Supreme Court decision reinstated them, sparking the current demonstrations. The Supreme Court has stayed this ruling pending the appeal hearing scheduled for Sunday.
