65 injured in opposition-led strike in Bangladesh

The strike on Sunday was enforced by the opposition united front of 14 parties led by the Awami League.

At least 65 people were injured in Dhaka in clashes as an opposition-sponsored general strike brought life to a near-halt across Bangladesh on Sunday.

About 10,000 police, paramilitary border guards and auxiliary forces were deployed as transport, banks and ports were disrupted by the dawn-to-dusk strike across the country.

Home Affairs Ministry sources said security around strategic installations, including airports and harbours, was tightened after intelligence reports warned of attacks by suspected Islamist militants.

The strike was enforced by the opposition united front of 14 parties led by the Awami League to protest against alleged police brutality during an anti-government demonstration in Dhaka on September 6.

"The government is trying to wipe out the opposition using police and other security forces, but this will not be possible," said a senior Awami League leader Muhammad Nasim.

The strike, which also partially crippled the business hub of Chittagong, followed a night of street violence, which left buses in flames and forced shops to close.

The strike also left thousands of commuters stranded at ferry stations and bus terminals on Sunday, a regular working day in Dhaka.