Bangladesh Partially Restores Telecommunications

Bangladesh partially restored its telecommunication services on Wednesday, Jul. 24. However, internet connections were slow and social media services remained suspended. 

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government had imposed a curfew and a telecommunications blackout last week after nationwide protests. 

More than 170 individuals were killed in the clashes including student protestors and police officers. 

Moderate internet telecommunications services were opened in the country after six days of internet blackout. Social media is expected to remain down for the next couple of days. 

Websites for ministries and online newspapers were not available on Wednesday. 

The curfew was relaxed for seven hours and offices were allowed to open from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The country has been experiencing student protests for weeks demanding to cancel the scheme that granted 54 percent of government jobs to specific groups like the children of veterans from the country's 1971 war of independence from Pakistan. 

The country has been calm since Sunday, Jul. 21 when the Supreme Court reduced the quota granting government jobs to children of war veterans. The court has ruled that 93 percent of government jobs will be filled on merit. Now, seven percent of government jobs will be set aside for specific groups. 

Five percent of government jobs will not be reserved for children of war veterans, one percent for tribal groups, and one percent for individuals with disabilities. 

Student protestors have given the government a new 48-hour ultimatum to fulfil four other conditions on an eight-demand list. They will announce the next steps once the period ends on Thursday, Jul. 25.

The four conditions include restoration of internet services, withdrawal of police from university campuses, and opening of universities.