Violent clashes in Bangladesh over job quotas leave 39 dead, disrupt communication; Prime Minister calls for peace.
At least 39 matter deaths in Bangladesh violence over student protesters, security forces and pro-government activists The worst day of the unrest came on Thursday. That was coupled with transport strike by demonstrators who overran the streets of Dhaka and other parts causing major communication blackout, including internet shutdown. Among protesters' demands is the repeal of a government policy to reserve 30 per cent of public sector jobs for families of 1971 War of Independence veterans, which demonstrators say discriminates against them. A High Court reinstatement of the quotas led to more outrage, even though the government had abolished them in 2018. Justice will be done through judicial inquiry, Hasina said earlier in the day. The leaders of the world called for calm and peaceful means to tackle controversies. The government is still not obliged to disclose information but, in any event it will hear the Supreme Court appeal on August 7 were an order for disclosure made.
