Activists fight battles with police in Bangladesh

Dhaka, Apr 19: Thousands of opposition activists today fought pitched battles with police, burning down shops and damaging vehicles after being intercepted on their way to lay siege at the Prime Minister's office here.

Witnesses said riot police wearing bulletproof vests opened up tear gas cannisters to disperse the angry protestors demanding reforms in various government sectors and the Election Commission for free and fair national elections scheduled for early next year.

The police administration earlier imposed Section 144 and put up road barricades on the streets to prevent the demonstrators from marching toweards the PM office.

The angry mob damaged vehicles, small shops on pavements and burnt down used tiers in Bangla Motor, Dhanmondi and Shahbag areas in central parts the capital this noon.

Police swung into action at about 1145 hrs as the agitators assembled at the Bangla Motor crossing to start off for the PM office.

At least four Awami League activists were reported injured as police fired shotgun on them at the Bangla Motor crossing.

The clash between the police and opposition activists spread to different areas forcing shops and business centers to pull down their shutters and all modes of vehicles to quit the streets.

Awami League led 14-party combine enforced the sit-in to press for the reform proposals placed by opposition leader Sheikh Hasina in parliament on February 12.

UNI