Bangladesh's top court was due to rule Sunday on the future of civil service hiring rules that sparked nationwide clashes between police and university students, killing 151 people.

What began as a protest against politicized admission quotas for sought-after government jobs snowballed this week into some of the worst unrest of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's tenure.

The country has extended a curfew on Sunday and soldiers have been on patrol on the streets of the capital Dhaka, the center of the demonstrations that spiraled into clashes between protesters and security forces.

According to local media, a curfew ordered late on Friday has been extended to 3 p.m. local time (0900 GMT) on Sunday, until after the Supreme Court hearing, and will continue for an "uncertain time" following a two-hour break for people to gather supplies.

The Supreme Court was in session on Sunday ahead of an expected verdict on whether to abolish the contentious job quotas. 

Internet and text message services in Bangladesh have been suspended since Thursday.

(With input from agencies)