Opposition supporters clashed with pro-government activists in Bangladesh, leaving one man dead amid reports of explosions of bombs and a train derailment blamed on the opposition during a nationwide general strike on Tuesday.
The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party, or BNP, and its 17 other allies were enforcing the shutdown to try to secure release of 154 leaders and activists detained this month.
The group enforced a similar shutdown across the South Asian country Monday, and a similar shutdown is expected in Dhaka, the capital, on Thursday.
Those detained are facing charges of attacking police and creating chaos during an anti-government rally that ended abruptly amid explosions and clashes on March 11.
In Dhaka, opposition activists on Tuesday detonated crude bombs and vandalized vehicles, said bdnews24.com agency and Ekattor TV station.
Railway official Abul Kalam Azad said a train derailed early Tuesday in northeastern Moulvibazar district after suspected opposition activists removed plates from the track. He said 15 passengers were slightly injured, while the derailment forced authorities to suspend operations in the region.
A student front leader of the ruling Awami League bled to death after being hit with sharp weapons in fighting with opposition supporters in northern Tangail district, said local police chief Monir Hossain.
In northwestern district of Rajshahi, activists from Jamaat-e-Islami, a main ally of the main opposition BNP, clashed with police, leaving scores injured. At least 35 people were injured in two clashes in the area while more than 40 homemade bombs exploded, bdnews24.com agency reported, quoting police officials.
United News of Bangladesh agency reported at least 40 opposition activists were arrested in Rajshahi.
Explosions of crude bombs were also reported in parts of Dhaka, where schools and most businesses were closed Tuesday amid tight security with thousands of officers patrolling the streets. Traffic was thin on the usually-clogged streets.
Bangladesh‘s rough political world has become increasingly violent in recent months. The opposition alliance is demanding restoration of a caretaker government to oversee elections expected to be held by early next year.
Jamaat-e-Islami also wants to halt the trials of several opposition politicians accused of crimes stemming from the country’s 1971 independence war …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Fox World News