In a bid to quell ongoing student protests, the Bangladesh government has declared a national curfew and announced plans to deploy the army. The demonstrations have turned increasingly violent, resulting in 105 fatalities so far. The situation has also affected Indian nationals in the country, with Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma confirming that 405 of the 8,500 Indian students have been evacuated. He added that he is in constant contact with the Indian Embassy regarding the safety of the remaining students.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s administration has enforced the nationwide curfew and ordered the deployment of military forces to restore order. Additionally, police and paramilitary forces have been stationed throughout the capital, targeting university campuses to disperse the protests. The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, assured that all Indians in Bangladesh, including the 8,500 students, are safe.

The protests are driven by demands to abolish the quota system in Bangladesh, which reserves 30% of government jobs for the descendants of veterans who fought in the 1971 war of independence against Pakistan. Protesters argue that this system is discriminatory and disproportionately benefits supporters of Hasina’s Awami League Party, which led the independence movement. The demonstrators are advocating for a merit-based system instead.

The government’s response to the protests has drawn international attention, with human rights organizations expressing concern over the use of force against students. The situation remains tense as the government and protesters appear to be at an impasse, with the potential for further escalation in the coming days.