Bangladesh crisis: 115 killed as thousands take to streets against quota system, clash with cops; Indians return home

Death toll continues to mount in Bangladesh amid ongoing violence over the allocation of government jobs despite imposition of curfew in the country. The army has also been deployed nationwide to control the law and order situation. Meanwhile, several Indian students have started returning home.

Here are 10 key points

1) Bangladesh continues to witness violence days after clashes over the allocation of government jobs. Various reports said that the death toll has mounted to 115.

2) Police and protesters clashed in the streets and at university campuses in Dhaka and other cities over the last few days.

3) According to AFP, authorities moved to block online communications by banning mobile and internet services. Some television news channels also went off the air, and the websites of most Bangladesh newspapers were not loading or were being updated.

4) Police have imposed a strict curfew across Bangladesh.

5) Military forces are patrolling capital city and other parts of the country to control the law and order situation.

"The army has been deployed nationwide to control the law and order situation," armed forces spokesman Shahdat Hossain told AFP.

6) United States Embassy in Dhaka said on Friday that reports indicated “hundreds to possibly thousands” were injured across Bangladesh. It said the situation was “extremely volatile.”

7) Protestors set jail on fire, following which some 800 inmates fled from a prison in Narsingdi, a district north of capital Dhaka.

8) Quoting lawmaker Obaidul Quader, the general secretary of the ruling Awami League party, AP reported that a ‘shoot-at-sight’ order was also in place, giving security forces the authority to fire on mobs in extreme cases.

9) 778 Indian students have returned to India through various land ports. In addition, around 200 students have returned home by regular flight services through Dhaka and Chittagong airports, said Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

10) MEA said that it is also coordinating with civil aviation, immigration, land ports and BSF authorities to ensure a smooth passage for our citizens.

Why are protests taking place?

The protesters are demanding an end to a quota system that reserves up to 30% of government jobs for relatives of veterans who fought in Bangladesh's war of independence in 1971 against Pakistan. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has defended the quota system, saying that veterans deserve the highest respect for their contributions to the war, regardless of their political affiliation.

Indian students return home

778 Indian students have returned to India through various land ports. MEA said that the High Commission and Assistant High Commissions are in regular touch with Bangladesh authorities to ensure safety and security of Indian nationals and students. The High Commission in Dhaka is also coordinating with civil aviation authorities of Bangladesh and commercial airlines to ensure uninterrupted flight services to India from Dhaka and Chittagong, which can be used by our nationals to return to home.