Bangladesh Order ‘Shoot-On-Sight’ Amid High Death Toll Following Violent Protest

Following the 133 fatalities from student-led anti-quota rallies, the Bangladeshi government enforced a curfew and a shoot-on-sight directive.

After several days of fatal altercations between demonstrators and police, the Supreme Court of Bangladesh was scheduled to rule on a public service recruiting quota on Sunday. Experts anticipate that situation may worsen after ‘shoot-on-sight’ order.

The reinstatement of reservation in government positions has sparked weeks of widespread protests in the neighboring country.

Student organizations are demonstrating against a government employment quota system that sets aside up to thirty percent of positions for veterans’ kin who participated in Bangladesh’s 1971 “War of Independence” against Pakistan.

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Last month saw the start of the conflict between students, government backers, and security personnel. But on Monday, tensions soared after six fatalities, prompting the government to announce the closure of all campuses.

Due to widespread student protests in 2018, the government halted employment quotas. But the High Court of Bangladesh reversed that ruling in June and put the quotas back in place.

Bangladesh’s prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, stated in a speech to the country on Wednesday that the government has already appealed the court’s decision to the highest court, and the Appellate Division has set a hearing date, so there is a chance to settle the matter through the legal system.