New Delhi: Authorities in Bangladesh have enacted a nationwide curfew and authorized police to use shoot-on-sight orders as the country braces for a pivotal Supreme Court ruling on contentious job quotas that have sparked widespread protests among university students.The Supreme Court is scheduled to deliver its verdict on Sunday regarding the abolition of quotas that reserve more than half of civil service positions for specific groups, including veterans children. The issue, initially protested against for its perceived politicization, has escalated into violent clashes, resulting in the deaths of at least 133 individuals.Photos of protests across Bangladesh as ongoing student uprisings continue and face intense crackdowns. pic.twitter.com/WJSZOkR5UQ— Muslim (@Muslim) July 20, 2024Security measures intensifiedWith riot police unable to quell unrest, soldiers have been deployed across urban areas, and a nationwide internet blackout since Thursday has severely limited communication channels. The heightened security measures aim to maintain order ahead of the courts decision.Political tensions and public outcryPrime Minister Sheikh Hasina, amidst accusations of judicial influence, hinted at abolishing the quota system earlier in the week but faces intensifying demands for her governments resignation amid escalating violence. Protesters, adamant in their demands, have defied curfews and expressed deep-seated resentment over perceived government overreach and economic hardships.International concerns and diplomatic responseThe escalating situation has prompted the US State Department to caution against travel to Bangladesh, while initiating plans to evacuate some diplomats and their families. The international community watches closely as Bangladesh grapples with the fallout from prolonged unrest and the potential implications of the Supreme Courts imminent decision.
