Activists clash with police in Bangladesh

DHAKA – At least 120 people were hurt in the capital Dhaka and elsewhere in Bangladesh yesterday in clashes between the police and opposition workers trying to march to election commission offices, witnesses said.

At least 50 people were injured in Dhaka, while 50 more were hurt in southern Bagerhat and 20 others in northern Mymensingh district towns during a countrywide programme to march to the offices of the election commission. 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 yesterday’s march to push demands for the 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 when a general election is held next year.Dozens of vehicles and a number of roadside shops were also damaged at Bagerhat where pro-government activists attacked a march by the opposition, police said.In Mymensingh, police fired teargas shells to disperse activists who stormed into the compound of the local election commission office.”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.- Nampa-ReutersPolice 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 yesterday’s march to push demands for the 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 when a general election is held next year.Dozens of vehicles and a number of roadside shops were also damaged at Bagerhat where pro-government activists attacked a march by the opposition, police said.In Mymensingh, police fired teargas shells to disperse activists who stormed into the compound of the local election commission office.”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. – Nampa-Reuters