Dhaka, August 28:

The Bangladeshi government remained nervous following a week of deadly anti-government unrest, deploying soldiers in Dhaka and other major cities today despite lifting a curfew a day earlier.

The country’s military-backed interim government imposed the nighttime curfew last Wednesday after student protests against emergency rule sparked street clashes, leaving at least one person dead and hundreds injured. There have been no demonstrations since the curfew was introduced. The Home Ministry lifted the curfew today ahead of a religious festival tomorrow.

Nevertheless, the authorities were taking no chances and were prepared to tackle more violence. The government still fears that “miscreants can try to create a situation. So the troops will continue to patrol streets,” said a senior police official in Dhaka.

Soldiers were also deployed in the bustling streets of Chittagong, Sylhet, Rajshahi, Khulna and Barisal — the five other cities that were subject to the curfew.

Security forces have detained several people suspected of instigating unrest, including five university teachers, and the Home Ministry said yesterday that the government planned to take legal action against those responsible for the violence. The demonstrations began on August 20 at Dhaka University with students demanding the removal of army posts on college campuses.

The protests quickly spread to other colleges and cities across the country. Many vendors joined in, setting vehicles on fire and damaging buildings and public property. One person was killed and hundreds hurt, prompting the government to impose curfew.