Death toll during student protests in Bangladesh climbs to 39

By Faisal Mahmud and Riyaz ul Khaliq

DHAKA, Bangladesh / ISTANBUL (AA) - The death toll in the ongoing violent student protests against the jobs quota system in Bangladesh has climbed to 39 on Friday, police sources confirmed to Anadolu.

Most of the deaths were reported in the capital Dhaka, sources told Anadolu correspondent in Dhaka. Many more have been injured.

The South Asian nation has seen protests against the 56% quota system in public jobs surge this week, with the government closing educational institutions across Bangladesh.

Students have, however, refused to leave the college and university campuses.

Some 30% of the 56% quota in public jobs have been reserved for sons and grandsons of those who participated in Bangladesh’s war of liberation in 1971.

There is a near-total information blackout with no broadband and mobile internet connectivity in the country.

Social media has also been restricted.

The ruling Awami League party's secretary-general has offered negotiations to the protesting students which were rejected.

The offer includes reducing the quota in public jobs to 20%.

Trade and businesses are partially shut in Dhaka due to violent demonstrations.

The government has announced a judicial commission to probe the killings.

Protesters on Thursday also set ablaze the building of the state-run TV in Dhaka.