50 hurt in Bangladesh skirmishes amid Opposition Strike
'Pakistan Times' Wire Service

DHAKA: Police fired rubber bullets and tear gas at thousands of protesters in the Bangladesh capital Sunday as opposition parties began two-day transport blockade to try to force electoral reform ahead of polls.

Opposition supporters pelted police with rocks and stones after thousands took to the streets, prompting officers to retaliate, said a police sub-inspector.

"Our officers shot tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the mob," he added.

Police did not have any details on the number of injuries but a private television network said at least 50 people including police officers were hurt in the clashes.

At least five small bombs also exploded in Dhaka's old quarter during the protests, although nobody was hurt, another private news channel reported.

Officers arrested a number of opposition activists during the protests in the centre of the capital.

Army soldiers were also patrolling the streets in armoured vans in an attempt to prevent further violence, police said.

The opposition called a nationwide transport blockade for Sunday, Monday and Tuesday to try to force the interim government to agree to reforms ahead of the national elections set for January 22.

Dhaka's usually bustling streets were empty of cars and buses on Sunday, a working day in Muslim-majority Bangladesh. Schools and colleges were shut.

Security has intensified nationwide in preparation for the blockades with 13,000 policemen guarding important streets and locations in Dhaka alone.

Normal life was also at a standstill in the southeastern port city of Chittagong where government offices, schools and businesses were closed and the army was deployed to ensure that cargo could reach the country's main port.●