Death toll from Bangladesh employment protests rises to 75

The death toll from protests against public sector employment laws in Bangladesh has reached 75, after 30 people were killed on Friday during day-long clashes between protesting students and security forces, according to Anadolu Agency.

The Bangladesh government declared a curfew and deployed the army amid violent protests and internet outages across the country, while taking measures to limit access to social media platforms and block news websites related to Bangladesh outside the country.

Asif Mahmood, one of the protest coordinators, had previously said that they had announced a nationwide work stoppage, and that all institutions and organizations would not be allowed to operate except for hospitals and emergency services.

The protesters are demanding an end to the quota system introduced by Sheikh Hasina's government, which allocates 56% of government jobs to certain demographic groups, including families of veterans of the 1971 war of independence that led to the country's separation from Pakistan, who are allocated 30% of government jobs.

According to the Dhaka Tribune, some universities, including Dhaka University, which witnessed student protests, announced closures “indefinitely.” Despite the closure of the universities, students refused to leave. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also ordered the formation of a committee to investigate the killing of students during the protests.