Dhaka: Bangladesh's army-backed interim government ordered an indefinite curfew in the capital Dhaka and five other cities from 8 p.m. on Wednesday after student protests, a government spokesman said.

"All universities and the colleges of the six cities have been ordered closed for an indefinite period," Fahim Munaim told Reuters.

"Students in all universities in these cities have been asked to vacate their dormitories, by 8 p.m. tonight, before the curfew begins," he said.