Mobile data services in Dhaka and its surrounding neighbourhoods have been severely disrupted for over 24 hours, hampering access to social media platforms. Zunaid Ahmed Palak, the state minister for telecom and ICT, said on Thursday, July 18, that there was "no announcement before the mobile internet shutdown".
Bangladeshi mobile users are unable to access the 4G network, which primarily facilitates internet access on devices in the country. "Mobile internet services were blocked due to the current situation in the country," Palak was quoted as saying reported by The Daily Star. Palak assured that mobile internet services would resume once the environment and law-and-order situation stabilised.
The disruption comes amid widespread violence related to the quota reform movement. The 4G network at all universities has remained shut since July 16. However, the 2G network remains operational, allowing users to make traditional voice calls, according to The Daily Star.
Despite protesters calling for a "complete shutdown" on Thursday, vehicles were moving normally in Dhaka, although in reduced numbers compared to usual, reported The Dhaka Tribune.
Government Willing To Talk
Law Minister Anisul Huq announced that the government is ready to hold talks with the quota reformists. "The government has agreed to hold talks with the quota reformists," Huq said during a press briefing on Thursday. He mentioned that the prime minister has agreed to the talks and instructed the law ministry to expedite the hearing of a quota-related case pending with the Supreme Court.
Advisory For Indian Nationals
The Indian High Commission in Bangladesh has issued an advisory for Indian nationals following violent protests by students against job quotas, which have resulted in six deaths. The advisory urges Indian citizens to avoid travel and "minimize movement" outside their residences. The High Commission has provided 24-hour emergency numbers for assistance in Dhaka, Chittagong, Rajshahi, Sylhet, and Khulna. Approximately 10,000 Indian students are currently studying in Bangladesh, primarily in the medical field.
The protests broke out over reservations in government jobs for the relatives of freedom fighters who fought in the 1971 War of Independence, also known as the Bangladesh Liberation war or 'Mukti Juddho', against Pakistan. Currently, 56% of government jobs are reserved for various quotas, including 30 per cent for relatives of war heroes, 10 per cent for women, 10 per cent for people from underdeveloped districts, five per cent for Indigenous communities, and one per cent for physically challenged individuals.