Protests paralyse Bangladesh despite police ban

DHAKA, Nov 13 (Reuters) Thousands of protesters squatted on highways and besieged Bangladesh's main cities today as a political crisis over January elections showed no sign of easing.

Witnesses said supporters of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who wants to force the removal of election commissioners she accuses of bias, massed on the outskirts of Dhaka, Chittagong and other cities despite a police ban on rallies.

The caretaker government of President Iajuddin Ahmed said it would deploy the army, if needed, to keep order after a man was killed and 50 others wounded yesterday, the first day of the transport strike which also shut down ports.

At least 30 people were also injured overnight when a train derailed after segements of the tracks were been pulled away by suspected protesters. Protesters also stopped at least four trains today, witnesses said.

The 14-party alliance led by Awami League leader Hasina want the president to sack Chief Election Commissioner M A Aziz and his deputies, saying they are being partial towards the Bangladesh Nationalist Party of Begum Khaleda Zia, who ended her five-year term as prime minister last month.

Hasina and her allies said they will maintain the blockade until the commissioners are removed or resign.

Officials said Iajuddin met with his advisers to try and end the stalemate.

According to the constitution, the election chief cannot be removed unless he voluntarily quits, but legal experts say the government can ask him to leave if it is of national interest.

Aziz, a retired Supreme Court judge, has refused to quit. BNP officials threatened to launch a ''counter-protest'' if the Awami League did not call off the transport blockade soon.

Awami League General Secretary Abdul Jalil said yesterday he hoped troops would not get involved.

''The country's law and order situation has not reached a level where the army's intervention is needed,'' he said.

''I hope our patriotic armed forces will refuse to be used for political purposes or to protect interest of one group, at the cost of people's rights.'' Bangladeshis consider the army as a neutral force, though they have occasionally intervened in domestic politics.

Bangladesh is also one of the largest contributors to international peacekeeping missions.

At least 30 people have been killed in political violence since Khaleda was constitutionally obliged to resign.

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