News Desk

Protests devolve into extreme violence in Bangladesh as fights between students, pro-government supporters and armed police increase public anger towards the state of civil service job quotas, which opponents consider discriminatory.

The police had used tear gas and rubber bullets against rioters, as they armed themselves with sticks, flooding the streets and university campuses in the capital Dhaka and other cities, which resulted in the deaths of dozens and the injury of hundreds. The headquarters of the State broadcaster Bangladesh Television (BTV) was supposedly set on fire by students, which forced them to shut down on Friday. The protesters call for a nationwide shutdown, posing a major challenge to the government of longstanding Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

So far, curfews have been imposed, mobile services cut, schools and universities ordered to close, and security forces put on active duty to relieve the chaos – all the while human rights groups accuse the authorities of using unjust methods against protesters.

By Sunday, the Supreme Court of Bangladesh revoked most of its problematic quotas on government jobs, with officials saying that they hope it will bring peace.