International Desk, 21st July: The Bangladesh government has implemented stringent security measures in response to escalating violence caused by student protests against government job quotas. In an attempt to control the unrest, the administration has imposed a nationwide curfew and continued its internet shutdown in the affected areas.
Many countries have issued travel advisories for Bangladesh, urging their citizens to avoid traveling to the country amid the ongoing turmoil. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has canceled her international trip as the situation in Bangladesh deteriorates.
The protests are driven by demands to reform the country’s quota system for civil service jobs, which reserves positions for specific groups, including descendants of those who participated in the 1971 War of Independence against Pakistan.
Bangladesh Quota Protests: Top Updates
- Violence Toll: The violence has claimed 133 lives this week, according to AFP. July 18 marked the deadliest day of the protests, with the government struggling to contain the situation.
- Nationwide Curfew and Military Deployment: In response to the rising death toll, the Bangladesh government imposed a nationwide curfew and deployed the military. The curfew has been extended to last throughout Sunday, as reported by AP.
- Internet Shutdown: Authorities imposed a nationwide internet shutdown on Thursday, which remains in place. Government websites and major online news portals are currently offline.
- Indian Student Evacuations: Nearly 1,000 Indian students have returned from Bangladesh, confirmed the central government on Saturday evening. Over 740 students returned via land routes, while over 200 arrived by flights.
- Shoot-on-Sight Orders: Amid escalating violence, Bangladesh authorities have issued a ‘shoot-on-sight’ order for the police and military. This decision came hours after a brief lifting of the curfew on Saturday for personal errands.
- Supreme Court Ruling Pending: The Supreme Court is set to decide on Sunday whether to abolish the government job quota system. The High Court reinstated the quotas last month after petitions from relatives of 1971 veterans, sparking widespread outrage.
- Public Holidays Declared: The government has declared Sunday and Monday as public holidays, limiting operations to emergency services. The curfew will be relaxed from 3 PM to 5 PM on Sunday for personal errands.
In 2018, the government halted the job quotas following mass student protests. However, in June, Bangladesh’s High Court nullified that decision and reinstated the quotas after relatives of 1971 veterans filed petitions. The Supreme Court suspended the ruling, pending an appeal hearing.