SINGAPORE: As the situation in Bangladesh remains “volatile”, Singaporeans are advised to defer all non-essential travel to the country, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said on Saturday (Jul 20).
The Bangladesh government imposed a nationwide curfew on Saturday in response to escalating violence and demonstrations.
Internet services, mobile data networks, and public transport services have also been disrupted, the ministry added.
The curfew is meant to quell deadly students-led protests against government job quotas that have killed at least 110 people this week.
In addition to the deaths, the clashes have injured thousands, according to data from hospitals across Bangladesh. The Dhaka Medical College Hospital received 27 dead bodies between 5pm and 7pm on Friday.
With internet and text message services suspended, the South Asian nation is cut off from the rest of the world as police cracked down on protests that have continued despite a ban on public gatherings.
For five days, police in Bangladesh have fired tear gas and hurled sound grenades to scatter protesters as demonstrators clashed with security personnel, throwing bricks and igniting vehicles.
The demonstrations – the biggest since Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was re-elected for a fourth successive term this year – have also been fuelled by high unemployment among young people, who make up nearly a fifth of the South Asian nation’s 170 million people.
With the death toll climbing and police and other security forces unable to contain the protests, Hasina’s government imposed the national curfew and deployed the military.
The nationwide unrest broke out over student anger against the controversial quotas for government jobs, including 30 per cent for the families of those who fought for independence from Pakistan.
“Singaporeans in Bangladesh are advised to remain vigilant, minimise travel out of their homes, monitor the local news closely, and heed instructions of local authorities,” MFA said.
They are also strongly encouraged to eRegister with MFA if they have not done so.
Singaporeans in Bangladesh who require consular assistance should contact the High Commission of the Republic of Singapore in Bangladesh via its 24-hour duty mobile phone at +880-181-955-7146 or via its landline at +880-2-222-280-404.
MFA’s 24-hour duty office can be contacted at +65 6379 8800/6379 8855.