DHAKA, 13 March 2006 — At least 50 people were injured in clashes between police and opposition activists in Dhaka yesterday during a demonstration for electoral reforms, police and witnesses said.
The clashes erupted as hundreds of opposition workers pushed through a police barricade and marched to the Election Commission’s office, demanding the resignation of the election commissioner, who they said was biased.
Police fired tear gas shells and used water canons to break up the protest. The demonstration was organized by a 14-party alliance led by Awami League chief and former Prime Minister Hasina Wajed to force the government to make the Election Commission more independent before elections next year.
Police said at least 20 activists were detained after they set ablaze a bus and pelted vehicles with stones during the protest yesterday.
Traffic resumed on the streets after opposition activists left the scene, and hundreds of police in riot gear stood guard outside key government buildings, a police officer said later.
In protest against police action, the opposition has called for a fresh countrywide protest tomorrow, to be preceded by an eight-hour nationwide strike from 6 a.m. (0000 GMT) today. Awami Juba League, the youth front of Awami League, called for the strike earlier on Saturday, to protest against price hikes of commodities and short supply of utilities.
