Bangladesh police clash with Protesters; Many Injured
'Pakistan Times' Wire Service

DHAKA: Riot police used tear gas and batons Monday in the Bangladeshi capital to disperse thousands of protesters demanding postponement of this month's elections and electoral reforms, witnesses said.

The clashes broke out in central Dhaka on the second day of a three-day transport blockade imposed by a 19-party alliance that opposes the Jan. 22 election.

Several people were injured, according to media reports.

About 5,000 protesters tried to overrun barbed-wire barricades manned by police, triggering the clashes in central Dhaka, leaving several people injured.

The violence broke out on the second day of a crippling three-day transportation blockade imposed by a 19-party alliance that opposes the Jan. 22 election.

At least 100 people, including police, were injured in similar clashes across the capital city Sunday, the first day of protests that cut the city off from rest of the country, Dhaka news papers reported.●