Clashes erupt on second day of Bangladesh strike

Dhaka, Jun 14: Opposition activists fought pitched battles with police in the Bangladesh capital today on the second day of a two-day strike to press for electoral reforms.

Police used batons and fired teargas shells to disperse activists in the city's Mahakhali and Mirpur areas, witnesses said. At least one car was set ablaze.

An opposition alliance led by the Awami League called the strike to try to force the government to accept demands for electoral reform ahead of next January's parliamentary election.

The demands include the removal of the election commissioner and an opposition say in the caretaker administration to be appointed to run the country ahead of the polls.

''We are agitating to assert our democratic rights. But the government shows no tolerance because it is an autocratic regime,'' said Tofayel Ahmed, a former minister and senior Awami leader.

More than 100 people were injured on the first day of the strike in clashes between activists and police. Seven vehicles including a police car were burned and about 50 other vehicles were damaged in the capital and elsewhere, police and witnesses said.

Police detained about 200 activists yesterday, including women, across the country. They would be prosecuted for ''attacking police, damaging public property and creating anarchy,'' police said.

The government's five-year term will end in October when the caretaker administration, appointed by the president in consultation with the government, will take over until January's election.

REUTERS

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