The capital city of Bangladesh, Dhaka, was under a tense calm on Monday, with a government-imposed curfew still in place.
This followed a significant ruling by the Supreme Court on Sunday, which eliminated most of the contentious job quotas, a move that has sparked widespread student protests.
The Supreme Court's decision mandates that 93% of government jobs be filled based on merit, overturning the previous system that allocated 56% of jobs to various groups, including the families of freedom fighters, women, and people from underdeveloped areas.
The initial quota system, introduced by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government in 2018, was intended to provide equitable job opportunities to marginalised groups.
However, it has been a source of contention and unrest.
Clashes between student protesters and security forces have resulted in at least 147 fatalities across the nation.
These violent confrontations escalated after the high court reinstated job reservations last month, which had been previously abolished by Hasina’s administration.
Despite the Supreme Court's ruling, student protesters have issued new demands and a 48-hour deadline for the government to act.
They seek the publication of the court's verdict in the official government gazette, the release of detained protest leaders, the lifting of the curfew, and the reopening of universities, which have been shut down since Wednesday.
On Monday, the streets of Dhaka saw no reports of violence or protests.
The government announced a relaxation of the curfew for three hours in the afternoon, an extension from the two hours granted the previous day, allowing residents to purchase essential supplies.
However, the city remains heavily patrolled by armed security forces, with army tanks stationed at key points.
The telecommunications blackout continues to cause significant disruptions, affecting essential services and travel plans.
Department stores reported running low on stocks due to supply chain interruptions caused by the curfew and internet suspension.
At Dhaka’s Tejgaon area, crowds of migrant workers were seen collecting airline tickets and paying electricity bills in person, highlighting the widespread impact of the internet shutdown.
The southern port city of Chittagong also reported tightened security and operational disruptions.
Thousands were injured in last week's protests, with security forces employing tear gas, rubber bullets, and sound grenades to disperse demonstrators.
Analysts attribute the unrest to stagnant job growth in the private sector and high youth unemployment, which has made secure government jobs more desirable.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, now in her fourth consecutive term, faces accusations of authoritarianism, human rights violations, and suppressing free speech—charges her government has consistently denied.
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