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Scuffles in Bangladesh opposition general strike
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Scuffles in Bangladesh opposition general strike
Anis Ahmed
DHAKA
Sun Jun 27, 2010 2:51am EDT
DHAKA (Reuters) - Bangladesh police wielded batons on Sunday to stop marches by thousands of anti-government protesters taking part in the first general strike in over three years, which the opposition hopes can force early elections.
World
The strike, called by the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its ally Jamaat-e-Islami, halted public transport and kept most businesses shut across the impoverished country, which economists estimated could lose an overall $250 million from the stoppage.
Sunday's general strike was the first large-scale challenge by the BNP, led by Begum Khaleda Zia, to her rival Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who took office in January 2009.
It was also the first strike since January 2007, when an army-backed interim government took power, ending months of political unrest.
"I warn the government not to play foul or behave undemocratically to thwart the strike that is aimed at telling the people about their misdeeds and failures," Khaleda told reporters on Saturday, the eve of the strike.
"The people strongly support our action."
Government offices and banks, however, remained open but with less staff than usual. The stock markets of Dhaka and Chittagong were also trading as usual and the country's main ports were still handling cargo, officials said.
At least 25 protesters marching down the streets of the capital Dhaka were injured, and dozens detained, in scuffles with police. Some vehicles, including a public transport bus, were set ablaze by the demonstrators.
BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami said the strike was intended to draw public attention to the government's "failures and excesses" and to give impetus to opposition demands for a mid-term election. Bangladesh is due to hold parliamentary elections in 2013.
Hasina dismissed the strike, saying it was aimed at creating anarchy.
"The BNP and its stooges are out to frustrate democracy and create anarchy. But people who gave us a huge mandate in 2008 elections will foil all evil designs," the prime minister said on Saturday, while opening a river bridge near Dhaka.
The opposition accuses the government of being unable to deliver on promises that include cracking down on corruption, improving power and gas supplies, attracting investment and keeping spiraling food prices in check.
The are also angry that the government last month banned the publication of a pro-opposition daily newspaper and arrested its editor on charges of sedition and maligning the government as well as Hasina's family.
The government says it is too early to assess its performance.
(Editing by Miral Fahmy)
World
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