The protests in Bangladesh

Images of the violence flood in – when the internet is turned on

As millions of Bangladeshi residents regained internet this week, many were shocked by images showing brutal police violence. This is reported by AFP.

Authorities shut down the internet nationally amid strong protests against a reinstated quota system for government jobs that rocked the country last month. Images of clashes have been largely absent from news broadcasts in Bangladesh, so it is only now that many are realizing the extent, according to the news agency.

Amateur footage posted on social media shows police shooting at protesters.

"Why are the police shooting our brothers and sisters?" writes a user about a particularly noteworthy clip. The clip shows how a young injured man, Taim, is shot by police. He later died in hospital. The clip has been viewed more than half a million times since it was posted.

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Bangladesh bans Islamist party after protests

Bangladesh's government bans the Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami and its student organization, AP reports.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her political allies accuse Jamaat-e-Islami and groups associated with the party of inciting violence during the country's protests. The decision is justified by anti-terror laws.

Jamaat-e-Islami has previously been banned from participating in elections but has not been stopped from political activity.

In addition to Jamaat-e-Islami, the government also blames the Bangladesh Nationalist Party for the unrest, writes the BBC.

Bangladesh's government has received harsh international criticism, including from the EU, for the brutal handling of the protests. Since July 5, at least 211 people have been killed and more than 10,000 arrested in protests against the reinstated quota system for government jobs.