Bangladesh protests: Shoot-on-sight order after 133 killed | Top updates

The violent protests in Bangladesh till now have claimed 133 lives, with over 900 people crossing the border into India.

As student protests over government job quotas continue to fuel widespread violence in the country, the Bangladesh government has responded with severe security measures. The administration implemented a statewide curfew and kept shutting off the internet in areas that were disturbed after failing to stop the violence.

Due to the ongoing protests, numerous nations have issued travel advisories for Bangladesh, recommending its citizens not to travel there. As the situation in Bangladesh worsens, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina decided to postpone her travel abroad.

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Demands for changes to Bangladesh’s civil service employment quota system, which reserves positions for particular groups, such as descendants of individuals who took part in the 1971 War of Independence against Pakistan, have been the driving force behind the country’s rallies.

Bangladesh quota protests: Top updates

• 133 people have died as a result of this week’s violence in Bangladesh, according to AFP. The deadliest day of the protests was July 18, and thus far the government has not been able to put an end to the bloodshed.
• The Bangladeshi government enforced a nationwide curfew and sent in the armed forces as the number of people killed in the protests has increased dramatically since Thursday. According to AP, the nation’s curfew was extended to endure all of Sunday.
• Because of the violence, the authorities implemented a statewide internet shutdown on Thursday, and it is still in effect today. Official government websites are currently unavailable, and leading online news portals are idle.
• The Indian government announced on Saturday night that about a thousand students had returned from Bangladesh. More than 200 students arrived by plane, and more than 740 students returned to India using land routes.
• In light of the growing quota demonstrations in the nation, Bangladeshi authorities have issued a “shoot-on-sight” directive for law enforcement and the armed forces. This happened just hours after the curfew was momentarily lifted on Saturday to allow individuals to perform errands for themselves.
• On Sunday, the Supreme Court is expected to make a decision over the elimination of the government job quota. Following a number of petitions, the High Court reinstated the quotas last month, which infuriated people all around Bangladesh.
• The administration of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has proclaimed Sunday and Monday as public holidays, with the exception of essential services. On Sunday evening, from 3 to 5 p.m., the curfew will be loosened to allow residents to run errands.

2018 saw widespread student protests that led to the government suspending the employment quotas. However, in June, following pleas from the relatives of veterans of the 1971 war, Bangladesh’s High Court overturned that ruling and restored the quotas. While an appeal hearing was being held, the Supreme Court postponed the decision.