Army Offers Water to Dhaka Protesters

DHAKA, 7 May 2006 — Troops came for the rescue of people with buckets full of drinking water yesterday to quench the thirst of thousands of Bangladeshis staging a noisy protest over a shortage of electricity and water.

Witnesses said troops with water tankers moved into Demra area of Dhaka where protesters barricaded a highway Friday, clashed with police and damaged vehicles.

“The situation has largely calmed down and is fast returning to normal,” an army officer at the scene said.