Police clash with protestors over former Bangladesh PM's arrest

Dhaka, July 16 (UNI) About 20 people were injured, including two with bullet wounds, and several vehicles damaged during clashes between police and demonstrators over the arrest of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the capital city of Dhaka and outside today.

Witnesses said riot police resorted to tear gas canisters and fired rubber bullets to disperse the protestors in old Dhaka, resulting in injuries to at least 16 people. The protestors also set afire a passenger bus in downtown Gulistan in the evening.

Police said Awami League supporters brought out a procession chanting slogans violating emergency rules while Hasina was being brought to a sub-jail in Parliament building complex after a metropolitan magistrate court rejected her bail.

Hasina has been arrested in an extortion case of nearly TK three crore. A private trading company filed the case against her, alleging that they had to pay the money to the former Prime Minister for receiving order to install a 210 MW power plant at Siddhirganj near Dhaka.

Independent UNB news agency said demonstrations were also held in Sheikh Hasina's hometown Gopalganj together with in Faridpur, Mymensingh, Pabna and Barisal where the activists clashed with police and damaged vehicles.

UNI