On Friday, student protesters freed hundreds of inmates from a jail in the Narsingdi district of central Bangladesh and then set the prison on fire, according to local police.

A police officer, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, confirmed the incident, saying, "The inmates fled the jail and the protesters set the jail on fire." He estimated the number of escapees to be in the hundreds. A senior government official also confirmed the jailbreak but provided no additional details.

In response to the unrest, Dhaka's police force imposed a ban on all public gatherings to prevent further violence. "We've banned all rallies, processions, and public gatherings in Dhaka today," police chief Habibur Rahman announced, emphasizing the necessity of the measure for public safety.

Despite the ban and an internet shutdown intended to thwart the organization of protests, confrontations between police and protesters continued. "Our protest will continue," one protester declared, calling for the "immediate resignation of Sheikh Hasina" and blaming the government for the violence. Reports indicate that at least 64 people have died in the unrest, with victim counts confirmed by hospitals.

The protests, which began on July 1 following the High Court's reinstatement of the freedom fighters' quota reserving one-third of civil service posts for their descendants, have escalated into violent clashes. Thousands of students armed with sticks and rocks have faced off against armed police in cities across Bangladesh, including Dhaka, Chattogram, Rangpur, and Cumilla.

The ongoing unrest and subsequent violence have significantly disrupted life in Dhaka and other major cities, causing widespread hardship. Students blocked roads and train routes in at least eight districts, including Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, and Chattogram, severely impacting train services.

The situation remains tense as the protests continue and authorities struggle to restore order.