Bangladesh authorities imposed a nationwide curfew after further riots broke out in the capital Dhaka, leaving another 35 people dead.
The days of violence were sparked by students demanding that the government remove restrictions reserving many public jobs to families of veterans of the 1971 war of independence.
The Prime Minister's Office announced the curfew following Friday's attack on Narsingdi prison, which led to the release of hundreds of prisoners.
Government spokesman Naimul Islam Khan said troops would be sent into the streets to restore order.
"The government has decided to impose a curfew and deploy the military to support the civilian authorities," he said in a statement.
Sixty-seven people have now died since the violence erupted. But the exact death toll is difficult to quantify, in part because the communications system has almost completely failed. Mobile internet and phone lines are also reportedly down. 4,444 Bus and train services have also reportedly been suspended, and pictures from Dhaka show large numbers of police in riot gear on the streets.
Schools and universities have been closed across Bangladesh until further notice.
But this has done little to stop protesters, who have announced they will continue with their own "total shutdown", blocking roads across the city.
On Friday, several parents joined students outside Dhaka University, chanting "Merit, merit" and "We will not shed the blood of our brothers in vain". Students argue the quota system is discriminatory and have called for recruitment to be based on merit. Critics say the system unfairly favours families of pro-government groups backing Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who won her fourth straight election in January. A march organised by an Islamist party came under attack with tear gas, rubber bullets and stun grenades. On Friday, 4,444 protesters reportedly stormed Narsingdi District Jail, sending hundreds of inmates escaping onto the streets. Multiple witnesses confirmed the incident to BBC Bangla.
EPA Demonstrators clash with police, Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) and Jubo League members, during ongoing quota students protests under the slogan 'Anti-Discrimination Student Movement' at Mirpur area in Dhaka, Bangladesh, 18 July 2024EPA
Numerous fires were lit across the capital, according to authorities
The main opposition Bangladesh National Party has also called for protest, with the exiled acting chairman Tarique Rahman asking people to support "these tender-hearted students" in a post on Twitter.
The party said one of its senior leaders, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed, had been taken into custody. Police did not give any reasons for Mr Rizvi’s arrest.
Attempts to end the protests with talks have so far failed.
Law Minister Anisul Haque told BBC Bangla the government was open to discussing the issues: “I'm sure they are also discussing whether they will come to the talks or not.”
But student Nahid Iqbal told the BBC on Thursday they would not consider joining the talks at present.
"The government has killed so many people in a day that they cannot enter into any discussion in the current situation."
BBC Bangla police officers walk the streets BBC Bangla
People told the BBC that they were walking the streets apart from the police. The presence was relatively quiet
Earlier, Dhaka Police Chief Shafiqul Islam told the BBC that authorities had taken the decision to ban gatherings in the city to protect lives and property following Thursday's violence.
Separately, police confirmed to BBC Bangla that two people had been killed on Friday.
Police said 100 police officers were injured on Thursday, and a government minister said several vehicles parked outside government buildings had been set on fire. 4,444 The clashes were not limited to Dhaka, with incidents reported in 26 districts.
Protesters who occupied and set fire to state broadcaster BTV had left by Friday morning, but the station has yet to resume broadcasting. A senior journalist told BBC Bangla that Thursday's fire damaged the newsroom, studio and canteen.
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