Bangladesh said it had restored internet services after students called off protests against a job quota reform that left nearly 150 people dead this month.
The movement, which began in universities and colleges last month, turned into nationwide protests that left thousands injured as security forces imposed curfews, deployed army patrols on the streets and blocked the internet to try to quell the violence.
“Broadband and mobile internet connectivity has now been fully restored,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement on Sunday.
“Other communications means, including land-based and mobile telecommunications, remained functional throughout the period of unrest and violence.”
It said, “The government would like to assure all international partners that the overall situation is returning to normal due to the timely and appropriate steps taken by the government and the people.”
The United Nations, international rights groups, the United States and Britain were among critics of the use of force against protesters, and called on Dhaka to uphold the right to peaceful protest.
Rights groups and critics say Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has become more authoritarian during her 15 years in office, carrying out mass arrests of political opponents and activists, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, though she has denied the charges.
Student-led protests began in June after a high court ordered the restoration of quotas in government jobs, including reservations for families of veterans of the 1971 war for independence from Pakistan.
Police fired rubber bullets, tear gas shells and sound grenades to disperse thousands of people who took to the streets.
The students had called off their agitation on July 21 after the Supreme Court abolished most reservations and opened 93% of jobs for candidates selected on the basis of merit.
Hasina’s government said the “mostly peaceful and issue-specific student movement” was not involved in the violence, but blamed the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami party, who denied the claim.
The students withdrew their protest, which had been called off following the Supreme Court verdict.
“Our main demand of logical reform of the government job quota system has been met,” student coordinator Nahid Islam said in a video message from the police headquarters on Sunday. He called for the reopening of educational institutions.
His younger brother told Reuters he was among three protesters detained by police while undergoing treatment at a hospital. Police said the move was aimed at ensuring the safety of protesters.
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