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100 injured in Opposition campaign for poll reforms

Thousands rallied in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka to press for poll reforms and the resignation of the country's top election officials.

Updated on: Jun 20, 2006, 17:31:00 IST
None | By , Dhaka
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Over 100 people, including policemen, were on Tuesday injured when Bangladesh police fired rubber bullets and tear gas at stone-throwing opposition activists trying to take out a march in the capital Dhaka to press for electoral reforms.

HT Image
HT Image

Witnesses said two spots in Dhaka turned into a battlefield as activists and police fought pitched battles.

The police was trying to prevent activists of the 14-party opposition alliance led by opposition leader and former Premier Sheikh Hasina Wajed from taking out a march to the election chief's office.

Major clashes were reported from Agargaon area, close to the poll chief's office, and in Dhanmandi area where the house of the main opposition leader is located.

Police used rubber bullets, tear gas and batons to disperse the stone-throwing activists in pitched battles that also spread into alleys of Dhanmandi residential area, witnesses said.

The incidents left at least 50 people, including police and activists injured while the rest were injured in clashes in two other Bangladesh districts.

Police were deployed at three points of the city where the opposition is set to assemble before marching on to their destination.

Election offices in 64 districts of the country would also come under the opposition action.

Hasina's main opposition Awami League-led 14-party allaince is camapigning for electoral reforms and resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner Justice MA Aziz.

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