Bangladesh is slowly returning to normalcy after a tumultuous period of student protests that resulted in over 200 deaths and widespread chaos. The protests were sparked by demands to end a government job quota system that reserved 30% of positions for relatives of veterans from the country's war of independence in 1971.
Following a Supreme Court order to reduce the quota to 5%, the government issued a circular accepting the verdict and pledged to implement the new system. However, protesters have criticized the government for the violence and deaths that occurred during the demonstrations.
The protests, which saw clashes between police and demonstrators, have led to the closure of schools and universities, as well as disruptions to internet services. The government imposed a curfew and deployed thousands of soldiers to maintain law and order.
While the government has accused opposition parties of instigating violence, the opposition has denied these claims and blamed the government for the high death toll. The situation remains tense, with sporadic internet outages and limited office hours in effect.
Despite the challenges, the government has taken steps to ease restrictions, allowing for limited internet access and opening offices and banks for a few hours each day. Garment factories, a key sector for the country's economy, have also resumed operations.
The international community, including the U.S. Embassy, has expressed concern over the volatile situation in Bangladesh and advised caution to its citizens. The government continues to work towards restoring peace and stability in the country amidst ongoing tensions.
