DHAKA, 12 June 2006 — Capital Dhaka was virtually cut off as the opposition enforced a “Dhaka Siege” yesterday amid violent clashes in and outside the city that injured at least 300 people, including police and journalists.
More than 5,000 protesters led by a former army chief smashed and torched cars and blocked a major entry point into Dhaka in the eastern suburb of Kanchpur, said Additional Superintendent of Police Habibur Rahman.
He said at least eight officers were injured as protesters stoned police and paramilitary forces. K.M. Shafiullah, the former army chief, was also injured after a stone hit him, Rahman added.
“The opposition supporters blocked the road that connects the city to the east and southeastern parts of the country,” Rahman said. The protesters were demanding electoral reforms ahead of national polls .
Defying a court ban and chanting “Action, Action, Direct Action,” supporters of a 14-party opposition coalition attempted to block more than a dozen other access points to Dhaka and sparked off clashes, police said.
