Mobile Internet Services Restored in Violence-Affected Bangladesh After 10 Days
Dhaka, July 29 (Read) — After a 10-day suspension due to nationwide violence and arson, mobile internet services were restored in Bangladesh on Sunday. The protests, which began with demands for reforms in the reservation system for government jobs, quickly escalated into widespread violence. In response, the government had imposed a ban on mobile internet services to curb the spread of fake news on social media.
According to reports, State Minister for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Zunaid Ahmed Palak announced in a press conference that following the restoration of services, all users would receive 5 GB of free internet for three days. Mobile internet services were resumed around 3 PM local time.
The report noted that users of Robi, Grameenphone, Banglalink, and other operators in Dhaka confirmed they could access the internet on their mobile phones around 3 PM. The government had shut down mobile internet services on July 18 following the escalation of violence.
University students in Dhaka and other cities protested against the reservation system for public sector jobs reserved for relatives of war heroes who fought in Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War. These protests turned violent, resulting in over 100 deaths, although there are no official figures available.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina defended her decision to impose a curfew following the violence, stating that strict measures were necessary to ensure the safety of people’s lives and property. The situation in Bangladesh, however, returned to normal by Wednesday.
