Who were 'Razakars' of Bangladesh and why are they at the center of protests?

The widescale rampant violence has prompted the Sheikh Hasina-led Bangladesh government to implement extreme security measures such as nationwide curfew, deployment of the Army and shutting down of internet services. Authorities have also passed a ‘shoot-on-sight’ order for the cops and military.

The protestors, mostly students, have been holding protests in Dhaka and other cities against the system of reservation in public sector jobs, including that for the relatives of war heroes who fought for the country's independence from Pakistan in 1971.

They argue the system is discriminatory and benefits supporters of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, whose Awami League party led the independence movement. They want it replaced with a merit-based system.