One dead, dozens hurt in Bangladesh clash over power

DHAKA, April 6 (Reuters) One man was killed and about 100 were injured in Bangladesh today in clashes between pro-government activists and farmers demanding supplies of power and diesel to run their irrigation pumps, witnesses said.

They said the fighting at Kansat, 350 km northwest of Dhaka, erupted after pRo-government activists attacked farmers, calling them supporters of opposition parties.

Police said many people were injured in several hours of fighting, during which both sides used home-made bombs, sticks and stones. Police could not immediately confirm the death.

At least nine other people have died in the area over the past two months, the peak season for sowing summer rice, in violence triggered by short supplies of electricity and diesel.

Villagers have stormed power department offices and attacked district officials to vent their anger, prompting police to use tear gas and rubber bullets to restore order.

Police kept a low profile during today's fight, witnesses said.

A district police officer said the situation in Kansat had returned to ''more or less normal'' by the evening.

Bangladesh is facing a severe power shortage because production has fallen more than 1,000 megawatts short of demand of some 4,500 megawatts in recent months.

REUTERS SBJ BD2018