In Bangladesh, police have been given “shoot-on-sight” orders amid escalating student-led protests against the government, which have resulted in over 100 deaths and thousands injured. A nationwide curfew was imposed to control the unrest, with military personnel deployed in the capital. The protests initially began over civil service job quotas perceived as discriminatory but have evolved into a broader movement against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s regime, accused of authoritarianism and corruption. The situation intensified with reports of police using live ammunition against protesters and violent clashes with pro-government groups. The protests are now seen as a fight for governmental change, with representatives from both sides meeting to discuss reform and resolution.
| name | description | change | 10-year | driving-force | relevancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shoot-on-sight orders | Police in Bangladesh have been authorized to shoot on sight during protests. | Shift from standard policing to military-style engagement with civilians. | Potential normalization of extreme police measures in maintaining public order. | Increasing government fears of civil unrest leading to aggressive law enforcement tactics. | 5 |
| Nationwide curfew | A nationwide curfew has been imposed in response to the protests. | Transition from open protests to restricted movements and civil liberties. | Future governance may increasingly rely on curfews to control civil disobedience. | Government’s need to maintain control during widespread civil unrest. | 4 |
| Communications blackout | The government has blocked internet and social media access amidst protests. | Shift from open communication to restricted information flow during unrest. | Could lead to more frequent government-imposed communication blackouts during crises. | Desire to limit organization and information spread among protesters. | 5 |
| Student-led protests escalating | Protests have grown from student-led demonstrations to nationwide civilian unrest. | Evolution from specific student grievances to broader anti-government protests. | Increased political activism among youth could reshape future governance. | Widespread dissatisfaction with government policies and authoritarianism. | 4 |
| Civil unrest akin to civil war | Protester likens current unrest to a civil war situation. | Shift in perception of protests from isolated incidents to a national crisis. | Potential for ongoing conflict and instability in governance and civil society. | Deepening societal divisions and loss of trust in government institutions. | 5 |
| Violence escalation | Protesters report a shift from rubber bullets to live ammunition by police. | Change from non-lethal to lethal force in crowd control measures. | Possible long-term militarization of police forces in handling protests. | Government’s increasingly aggressive response to civil disobedience. | 5 |
| Pro-government group attacks | Pro-government supporters have attacked protesters with weapons. | Increase in violent confrontations between opposing groups in protests. | Potential for organized violence in political protests to become commonplace. | Polarization of society and increasing tensions between political factions. | 4 |
| Prison break during protests | Protesters broke into a prison and freed hundreds of prisoners. | Shift from protests focused on civil rights to actions undermining state authority. | Could lead to a precedent for civil disobedience through radical means. | Desperation and anger towards oppressive government actions. | 4 |
| name | description | relevancy |
|---|---|---|
| Escalating Violence | The government’s shoot-on-sight orders and police use of live ammunition may lead to increased casualties and a breakdown of public safety. | 5 |
| Authoritarian Regime | The ruling government is accused of authoritarianism, risking civil liberties and democratic processes, which could lead to long-term instability. | 4 |
| Civil Unrest and Protests | The ongoing student-led protests evolving into nationwide civilian unrest raises concerns about potential civil war and societal divisions. | 5 |
| Economic Crisis Impact | Severe economic downturn and record inflation may exacerbate social tensions, leading to further unrest and instability. | 4 |
| Communications Blackout | The total shutdown of internet and social media can hinder transparency, restrict information flow, and escalate conflict danger. | 4 |
| Violence Against Protesters | Allegations of police brutality against protesters raise concerns about human rights violations and the loss of public trust in law enforcement. | 5 |
| Political Corruption | The perception of election rigging and political corruption undermines democracy and can lead to increased societal frustration and conflict. | 4 |
| Public Safety Threats | Attacks by pro-government supporters on protesters and violent responses by police create a perilous environment for civilians. | 5 |
| name | description | relevancy |
|---|---|---|
| Escalation of Civil Unrest | Protests have evolved from student-led actions to widespread civilian unrest, indicating a shift in public sentiment against the government. | 5 |
| Violent Government Response | The government has resorted to extreme measures such as shoot-on-sight orders and military patrols to suppress protests. | 5 |
| Internet and Communication Blackouts | The government imposed a communications blackout, blocking internet and social media access to control information flow during unrest. | 4 |
| Increased Civilian Participation in Protests | Families of protesters have joined the movement, indicating a growing collective opposition against the government. | 4 |
| Direct Attacks on State Institutions | Protesters have attacked state-run institutions, signaling a breakdown of public trust in government entities. | 4 |
| Demand for Systemic Change | Initially focused on job quotas, the protests have shifted towards demanding broader governmental reforms and accountability. | 5 |
| name | description | relevancy |
|---|---|---|
| Communications Blackout Technology | Technology used by governments to restrict internet and social media access during civil unrest. | 4 |
| Non-lethal Crowd Control Weapons | Advanced weaponry like rubber bullets and stun grenades aimed at managing large protests without fatalities. | 4 |
| Surveillance Technology | Technologies employed for monitoring protests and public gatherings through cameras and drones. | 5 |
| Social Media Monitoring Software | Software that tracks and analyzes social media activity during civil unrest for governmental use. | 4 |
| Rapid Response Military Deployment Systems | Systems that facilitate the quick mobilization of military forces to manage civil unrest. | 5 |
| name | description | relevancy |
|---|---|---|
| Government Authoritarianism | The increasing authoritarian measures taken by the government could lead to long-term political instability in Bangladesh. | 5 |
| Civil Unrest and Protests | The student-led protests evolving into nationwide unrest may signal a shift in public sentiment against the ruling party. | 5 |
| Police Brutality | The use of excessive force by police during protests raises concerns about human rights and the rule of law. | 4 |
| Economic Downturn | The severe economic challenges post-COVID may exacerbate social tensions and contribute to ongoing unrest. | 4 |
| Censorship and Communication Blackouts | Government-imposed communication blackouts could limit citizens’ ability to organize and share information, affecting civil liberties. | 4 |
| Discriminatory Policies | The reintroduction of civil service job quotas perceived as discriminatory can fuel ongoing grievances and social unrest. | 4 |
| Youth Mobilization | The involvement of youth in protests indicates a potential shift in political engagement and activism among younger generations. | 3 |