Bangladesh court scraps job quotas after more than 100 killed in clashes

YEREVAN, JULY 22, ARMENPRESS. Bangladesh's top court has scrapped most of the quotas on government jobs that had sparked violent clashes across the country that have killed more than 100 people, BBC reports.

A third of public sector jobs had been reserved for the relatives of veterans from the country’s war for independence from Pakistan in 1971.

But now the court has ruled just 5% of the roles can be reserved for veterans' relatives. Law Minister Anisul Huq said the government would implement the ruling within days. Some student leaders have vowed to continue protesting, the report adds.

The students' demands also include justice for protesters killed in recent days, the release of detained protest leaders, the restoration of internet services and resignations of government ministers.

Streets in the capital Dhaka are deserted as a second day of curfew is in force, but sporadic clashes continued even after the supreme court ruling, according to the BBC.

About 115 people are known to have died but local media report a much higher casualty figure. At least 50 people were killed on July 19 alone.