Monday, February 16, 2004

Police clash with protesters during strike in Bangladesh

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) - Baton-wielding riot police clashed Monday with dozens of protesters in Bangladesh's latest opposition-sponsored general strike, which shut down schools and shops while a conference on reducing global poverty began in the capital.

The violence erupted after about 50 protesters tried to push over barbed-wire barricades erected by police in the central Gulishtan commercial district, injuring several people, witnesses said.

The strikers demanded the release of activists arrested in violence during two other strikes last week, said Abdul Jalil, an opposition spokesman.

Monday's strike, called by the main opposition Awami League's youth wing, coincided with an international conference in Dhaka on providing financing for small businesses in an effort to reduce global poverty, a practice known as microfinancing.

The clashes occurred far from the hotel where more than 1,000 delegates from 44 countries opened the four-day conference Monday.

Mirza Azam, a leader of the Bangladesh Jubo League, which called the protest, said delegates were not targets.

Nearly 6,000 police and paramilitary troops had been deployed in the capital to prevent violence during the strike, and the Home Ministry said security has been tightened in 63 other cities and towns.

The dawn-to-dusk strike - the third in five days - shut down schools and shops in Dhaka, a city of 10 million people.

Commuters either walked or used rickshaws that were allowed to continue operating.

In strikes on Thursday and Saturday, about 100 people were wounded in clashes between police and demonstrators. Police said nearly 200 protesters were arrested on rioting charges.

Opposition parties often use strikes to highlight a demand or harass the government in this impoverished South Asian nation of 140 million people.

Clashes between police and protesters are common.

The Awami League, led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has waged a campaign of strikes to protest price hikes, rising crime and alleged harassment of political opponents.

Hasina's party has boycotted Parliament since last year, accusing the government of preventing opposition members from criticizing it.

Prime Minister Khaleda Zia has warned that her government will not allow the opposition to disrupt the economy and normal life. - AP

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