By Anis Ahmed

Dhaka - Troops and riot police fought pitched battles with protesters on Thursday as a strike aimed at forcing electoral reforms in Bangladesh turned violent.

Witnesses said at least 25 people were wounded in the clashes that broke out in several areas of the capital, Dhaka, which is largely paralysed by the strike that has also affected business and transport across the country.

The protest was called by a 14-party alliance, led by former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, to force the interim government to implement reforms ahead of a general election set for next month.

The interim government had put the army on stand-by

In Dhaka, troops in armoured cars patrolled the streets, chasing down protesters and rounding them up. Police also fired tear gas and rubber bullets at activists who had set a police car ablaze in the Shyamoli residential area, witnesses said.

The interim government had put the army on stand-by earlier this month, despite criticism by the Hasina-led alliance.

"They (army) are out in full force ... (they) chased away violent activists, training guns at them," a Reuters cameraman said.

Outside the capital, activists damaged more than 50 vehicles and rickshaws, halted trains, barricaded highways and at least 100 people were injured in fighting between rival groups, local officials and witnesses said.

The country's main seaport, Chittagong, and trading-post towns on the borders with India and Myanmar stood idle, while schools, universities and two stock exchanges in Dhaka and Chittagong were closed.

'Do not pitch them against people fighting for democracy and rights'

Mohammad Nasim, a senior Awami leader and former home (interior) minister, urged the interim government not to use the army to suppress people's democratic rights and privileges.

"Our army is a patriotic force, defends the country and works to establish peace world over. Do not pitch them against people fighting for democracy and rights," Nasim told a protest rally.

The disputed election is set for January 22, but Hasina has asked for a delay to allow time for campaigning and to prepare a "flawless" voters list as well as issue voter identity cards.

Hasina's alliance also wants President Iajuddin Ahmed, head of the caretaker government, to resign, accusing him of bias.

"A congenial atmosphere for a free and fair election does not exist in the country now," Hasina told European Union officials in Dhaka.

On Wednesday, Hasina rejected as insufficient a government move to give a holiday to one election commissioner, who is among several she accuses of being biased towards her rival Begum Khaleda Zia.

Khaleda Zia, who ended her five-year term as prime minister in October and handed power to the interim authority, rejects any delay in the election date. She accuses Hasina of "plotting to push the country into a constitutional crisis, destroy democracy and ruin the economy".

The run-up to the polls has been marred by violence, with at least 45 people killed and hundreds injured in clashes between political rivals since late October.