Dhaka: Police foils opposition march towards EC

Dhaka, Mar 12: The police today (Mar 12, 2006) foiled an opposition march, heading towards the Election Commission (EC) in the Bangladesh capital, by exploding tear gas shells and spraying hot water, leaving more than 50 people injured.

The demonstration, organised by the Awami League-led 14-party combine, demanded resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Justice M A Aziz and the two newly appointed commissioners, and also the cancellation of ''controversial'' voter list and appointment of alleged ruling party cadres as enumerators and election officers.

Witnesses said several thousand people marched towards the EC office but faced police action near National Parliament building, about three km from the office.

As the demonstrators led by their leaders tried to storm the barricades put by the police, the latter sprayed hot water and used some 200 tear gas shells to disperse them.

Witnesses said many injured were seen rushing to clinics and hospitals in the area as the opposition activists continued fighting with the police till around 1230 hrs.

The demonstrators hurled brickbats at the law enforcers and burnt used tyres on the roads. Police stopped movement of traffic in the area while shops and business houses downed their shutters.

UNI