The protests in Bangladesh

From peaceful protest to bloody mayhem – this is what's happening in Bangladesh

Although street protests are hardly a new phenomenon in Bangladesh, the demonstrations of recent weeks are unprecedented in terms of violence and anger, writes the BBC.

It started as peaceful protests on university campuses against a new quota system which means that a third of the jobs in public sects must be earmarked for relatives of people who fought in Bangladesh's liberation war in 1971. The students claim that the system is discriminatory and want to see equal conditions for everyone.

The unrest started after reports that the police used brutal force against the protesters, which the government denies.

- It is no longer just students, it seems that people from all walks of life have joined the protest movement, says Samina Luthfa, assistant professor of sociology at the University of Dhaka, to the BBC.

Public anger at widespread corruption and unfair elections has fueled the anger, according to Pierre Prakash of the conflict prevention organization Crisis Group (ICG).

"With no real alternative at the ballot box, disaffected Bangladeshis have few options other than street protests to make their voices heard," he told AFP.

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The curfew in Bangladesh was eased for two hours

Authorities in Bangladesh eased the curfew for two hours on Saturday to allow people to run essential errands, writes the AP news agency.

According to the country's television channels, the curfew itself is to be lifted on Sunday at 10 a.m. local time when the government will assess the situation and decide what measures must be taken.

The student protests have shaken the country since the beginning of July. According to the AFP news agency's own measurement, which is based on police and hospital reports, at least 115 people have now been killed during the week of unrest.

In addition, at least 300 police officers were injured on Friday.

According to AP, Friday is likely to be the deadliest day since the protests broke out.

During the week, several images of the violent protests have also been disseminated from the news agencies on the ground, including the one above showing an injured police officer.