Bangladesh protests widen, toll tops 100, communications disrupted

DHAKA: At least 105 people have been killed in Bangladesh as police cracked down on unrelenting student-led protests against govt job quotas despite a ban on public gatherings, AFP said on Friday, citing hospitals.

The govt has decided to impose a nationwide curfew and deploy the army, BBC Bangla reported, citing the PM's press secretary.

Earlier in the day, telecommunications were disrupted and television news channels went off the air. Authorities had cut some mobile telephone services the previous day to try quell the unrest.

Police and security officials fired bullets and tear gas at protesters and banned all gatherings in the capital Dhaka, reports said. The protests, which began weeks ago but escalated sharply this week, represent the biggest challenge to PM Sheikh Hasina since she won a fourth consecutive term in office after Jan polls.

There were varying reports of the number of people killed on Friday, with Independent Television reporting 17 dead and Somoy TV reporting 30. An AP reporter saw 23 bodies at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, but it was not immediately clear whether they had all died on Friday. Authorities could not be reached to confirm figures for the deaths.

The govt has deployed police and paramilitary forces across the capital to lock down campuses and break up protests. On Wednesday, universities including the country's largest suspended classes and closed dormitories, and on Friday police in Dhaka said they were banning all gatherings and demonstrations in the capital. An AP reporter saw border guard officials fire at a crowd of more than 1,000 protesters who had gathered outside the head office of state-run Bangladesh Television, which was attacked on Thursday.

The border guards shot at the crowd with rifles and sound grenades, while police officers fired tear gas and rubber bullets. Bullets littered the streets, which were also marked by smears of blood.

Internet services and mobile data were widely disrupted on Thursday night and remained down on Friday in the capital, Dhaka. Social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp were also not loading. A statement from the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission said they were unable to ensure service after their data centre was attacked by demonstrators, who set fire to equipment. Student protesters said they will extend their calls to impose a shutdown on Friday, and urged mosques to hold funeral prayers for those who have been killed. agencies

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