Bangladesh burning with riots after 3 opposition workers killed in Natore
By Syeda Munawara Qazi
DHAKA, Bangladesh: Riots in Bangladesh have spread over to other parts including northern areas after 3 opposition workers were allegedly killed by ruling party supporters.
Clashes are reported from north and Dhaka between supporters of ruling Awami League an opposition BNP. Opposition is observing “Democracy Killing Day” while ruling party is observing this day as pro democracy day. Both parties have called for rallies despite a ban on demonstrations.
Meanwhile BNP leader Khaleda Zia is Office-arrest and police are not allowing her to come out of her office where she is confined since last evening.
Riots started on Sunday morning when protesters set fire to eight vehicles – six buses and two auto-rickshaws in Gazipur and Mymensingh. Vehilces were burnt down by protesters in different areas Paltan, Dayaganj, old Dhaka, Gulistan and Azimpur. Police failed to arrest protesters who fled from the scene. A passenger bus was burnt down near Baitul Mukarram National Mosque.
Five people were iinjured while one leader of ruling party alliance was killed in a bomb blast that took place in Islambagh area.
Police said a homemade bomb was thrown at Eidgah ground of Islambagh around 4:30pm when local arbitration was going on there. Blast resulted injuries to several people gathered in the meeting and injured were shifted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital where Muhammad Idris was pronounced dead by doctors.
The country-wide rallies have been called to mark a year since the parliamentary elections that the Bangladesh National Party (BNP) led by Khalida Zia and its allies had boycotted, alleging the ruling party would rig the vote.
Earlier on Sunday, Khalida Zia was locked in her office in Dhaka to refrain her from participating in the protest while the authorities imposed an indefinite ban on all meetings, processions and rallies in the capital.
