Bangladesh: Curfew, shoot-at-sight orders in govt efforts to quell further violence

Police imposed a strict curfew across Bangladesh and military forces patrolled parts of the capital on Saturday (July 20) to quell further violence after days of clashes over the allocation of government jobs left several people dead and hundreds injured.

The curfew follows the deadliest day yet in the weeks of protests despite a ban on public gatherings. Reports vary on the number of people killed on Friday (July 19), with Somoy TV reporting 43. An Associated Press reporter saw 23 bodies at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, but it was not immediately clear whether they all died on Friday.

Another 22 people died on Thursday (July 18) as protesting students attempted to impose a “complete shutdown” of the country. Several people were also killed on Tuesday (July 16) and Wednesday (July 17).

Biggest challenge to PM Hasina

The protests, which began weeks ago but escalated sharply when violence erupted on Tuesday (July 16), represent the biggest challenge to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina since she won a fourth consecutive term in office after elections in January that were boycotted by the main opposition groups.

Police and protesters clashed in the streets and at university campuses in Dhaka and other cities across the south Asian country. Authorities moved to block online communications by banning mobile and internet services. Some television news channels also went off the air, and the websites of most Bangladesh newspapers were not loading or were being updated.

Authorities could not be reached immediately to confirm figures for the overall deaths. The United States Embassy in Dhaka said on Friday (July 19) that reports indicated “hundreds to possibly thousands” were injured across Bangladesh. It said the situation was “extremely volatile.”

Bangladesh imposes curfew as student protests over quota escalate

Shoot-at-sight order in place

The curfew began at midnight and is set to relax from noon to 2 pm to allow people to buy essentials before being put back in place until 10 am Sunday (July 21). A “shoot-at-sight” order was also in place, giving security forces the authority to fire on mobs in extreme cases, said lawmaker Obaidul Quader, the general secretary of the ruling Awami League party.

The chaos highlights cracks in Bangladesh's governance and economy and the frustration of youths who lack good jobs upon graduation.

30% of govt jobs reserved for veterans’ families

The protesters are demanding an end to a quota system that reserves up to 30 per cent of government jobs for relatives of veterans who fought in Bangladesh's war of independence in 1971 against Pakistan. They argue the system is discriminatory and benefits supporters of Hasina, whose Awami League party led the independence movement, and they want it replaced with a merit-based system.

Hasina has defended the quota system, saying that veterans deserve the highest respect for their contributions to the war, regardless of their political affiliation.

Why Bangladesh student unrest may benefit its Opposition

Both sides meet

Representatives from both sides met late Friday (July 19) to find a resolution. At least three student leaders were part of the meeting in which they demanded a reform in the quota system, an opening of student dormitories across the country, and the stepping down of university officials for failing to prevent violence on the campuses.

Law Minister Anisul Huq said the government was open to discussing the student leaders' demands.

Protests backed by opposition party BNP

The protests are also backed by the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party that has vowed to organise its own demonstrations with many of its supporters joining in the students' protests.

A BNP statement on Friday (July 19) said its supporters were not responsible for the violence and the party does not support any sabotage for political reasons.

The Awami League and the BNP have often accused each other of fuelling political chaos and violence, most recently ahead of the country's national election, which was marred by a crackdown on several opposition figures while Hasina's government accused the party of attempting to disrupt the vote.

SC to take up quota issue on July 21

Earlier, Hasina's government had halted the job quotas following mass student protests in 2018. But in June, Bangladesh's High Court nullified that decision and reinstated the quotas after the relatives of 1971 veterans filed petitions. The Supreme Court suspended the ruling, pending an appeal hearing, and said in a statement it will take up the issue on Sunday (July 21).

Hasina has called on protesters to wait for the court's verdict.

(With agency inputs)