Bangla opposition clash with police, 50 injured

Dhaka, June 20: At least 50 people were injured in Bangladesh's capital today in clashes between the police and opposition workers trying to march to the election commission, witnesses said.

Police used batons, tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse rock-throwing activists pushing through barbed-wire barricades at Dhaka's Russel Square and Agargaon areas.

A 14-party opposition alliance led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of the Awami League called for Tuesday's march to push demands for removal of the chief election commissioner and his deputies.

The opposition also wants changes in the way caretaker administrations operate to ensure a free and fair poll.

''The Chief Election Commissioner M.A. Aziz and his colleagues must resign,'' said senior Awami leader Tofayel Ahmed, accusing them of pro-government bias and trying to manipulate the voters' list for the coming election.

In Bangladesh, a caretaker government conducts a general election after an elected government completes its five-year term.

The term of the incumbent government of Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia will end in October, and an election under the caretaker government will be held in January 2007.

Police and witnesses said about 20,000 activists had gathered since late morning but were stopped about half a kilometre from the commission's building.

But the situation was mostly under control by early afternoon and protesters had started dispersing after 1 p.m. 1230 hrs IST, a police officer said.

Reuters