Bangladesh extends curfew ahead of court hearing over controversial jobs By Reuters

Written by Mohammad Ponir Hossain and Sam Jahan

DHAKA (Reuters) – Bangladesh extended a curfew on Sunday to control violent student-led protests that have killed at least 114 people, as authorities headed to the Supreme Court later in the day over the number of government jobs that sparked outrage.

Soldiers have been patrolling the streets of the capital, Dhaka, which has been the center of protests that have sparked clashes between protesters and security forces.

Internet and messaging services in Bangladesh have been suspended since Thursday, crisscrossing the country as police cracked down on protesters who violated a ban on public gatherings.

The curfew on Friday has been extended to 3pm (0900 GMT) on Sunday, until after a Supreme Court hearing, and will continue for an “indefinite period” following a two-hour break for people to collect goods, local media reported. .

Universities and colleges have also been closed since Wednesday.

Riots broke out across the country following student frustration over government job allocations, including 30% being reserved for the families of those who fought for freedom in Pakistan.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government had abolished the quota system in 2018, but the court reinstated it last month.

The Supreme Court stayed the decision after the government appealed and will hear the case on Sunday after agreeing to bring the hearing scheduled for August 7.

The protests – the largest since Hasina was re-elected for a fourth consecutive term this year – were also fueled by youth unemployment, which makes up about a fifth of the population.

The US State Department on Saturday raised its travel advisory for Bangladesh to level four, urging US citizens not to travel to the South Asian country.