Violent clashes erupt between police and protesters in Dhaka even after 6 die during campus protests

Associated Press

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — Several major universities in Bangladesh have agreed to shut their doors after at least six people died in violent campus protests. Also Wednesday, protest organizers said they would shut down all but essential services as relentless clashes between demonstrators and police stretched into the night. Protesters are demanding an end to a quota system that reserves up to 30% of government jobs for family members of veterans who fought in Bangladesh’s war of independence in 1971. They argue the system is discriminatory and benefits supporters of the prime minister, whose party led the independence movement. The country’s main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party has said it will do what it can to make Thursday’s shutdown a success.