DHAKA, Bangladesh - A strict curfew with a "shoot-on-sight" order has been imposed across Bangladesh as military forces patrol parts of the capital in the aftermath of deadly clashes over the allocation of civil service jobs. Scores of people have been killed and hundreds injured as tensions escalated.

The curfew, which began at midnight and was briefly relaxed from noon to 2 p.m. for essential errands, is expected to last until 10 a.m. on Sunday. According to Obaidul Quader, the general secretary of the ruling Awami League party, officers have been authorized to use force in extreme cases to maintain order.

The protests, primarily orchestrated by student groups, started weeks ago to voice opposition against a quota system that reserves up to 30% of government jobs for relatives of veterans who fought in Bangladesh's war of independence in 1971. Violence erupted on Tuesday, with at least 103 reported deaths according to the Daily Prothom Alo newspaper.

Friday marked the deadliest day so far, with 43 reported fatalities as per Somoy TV, and an Associated Press reporter witnessing 23 bodies at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital. However, it remains unclear whether all the deaths occurred on Friday. On Thursday, an additional 22 people were reportedly killed as students sought to bring the entire country to a standstill.

The United States Embassy in Dhaka has described the situation as "extremely volatile," with reports indicating that "hundreds to possibly thousands" have been injured across Bangladesh. However, Bangladeshi authorities have not released official figures regarding the casualties.

In response to the escalating violence, authorities have implemented the curfew to quell further clashes between police and protesters in Dhaka and other cities across the nation. Online communication has been disrupted by banning mobile and internet services, while several television news channels are off the air, and local newspaper websites are down. Furthermore, several key government websites, including the central bank and the prime minister's office, have reportedly been hacked and defaced.

Adding to the chaos, approximately 800 inmates escaped from a prison in Narsingdi district after protesters stormed the facility and set it ablaze on Friday.

The ongoing protests underscore both the cracks in Bangladesh's governance and economy and the frustrations of young graduates who struggle to secure desirable jobs. These demonstrations also pose a significant challenge to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who recently won a fourth consecutive term. Protesters argue that the current quota system is discriminatory and serves the interests of Hasina's supporters, demanding its replacement with a merit-based system.

Late on Friday, representatives from both the government and the student groups held a meeting to seek a resolution. The students demanded the reform of the quota system, the reopening of closed student dormitories, and the resignation of certain university officials for failing to protect campuses. The government expressed openness to discussing these demands, according to Law Minister Anisul Huq.

The main opposition party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has pledged support for the protests and plans to organize its demonstrations, rejecting accusations from the ruling party that they instigated the violence for political gain. The Awami League and BNP have a history of accusing each other of causing political chaos and violence.

In 2018, the government temporarily halted the job quotas following similar student protests. However, in June, Bangladesh's High Court restored the quotas after petitions were filed by relatives of 1971 veterans. The Supreme Court has suspended the ruling and will address the issue in an appeal hearing scheduled for Sunday.

Prime Minister Hasina has urged the protesters to await the court's verdict. As tensions continue to escalate and casualties mount, the nation awaits a resolution to the unrest that has exposed deep divides within Bangladesh's society.