A general strike shut down a northern town in Bangladesh, on Saturday, after violent political clashes a day earlier left nearly 200 people injured, police said.
Schools and stores were closed and vehicles stayed off the streets in Rangpur, 248 kms north of capital Dhaka. The town of nearly 100,000 people remained cut off from rest of
the country as the strike halted trains and long distance buses. Rangpur has no airport.
No clashes were immediately reported during the day`s strike, a local police officer said on condition of anonymity.
On Friday, hundreds of political activists from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina`s Awami League and the main Opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party clashed with crude bombs, meat cleavers, iron rods and rocks.
Police intervened, firing rifles and tear gas shells to stop the violent crowds after they vandalized stores and smashed 12 cars, the police officer said.
Police and local residents reported at least 200 people were injured, including five police officers.
Two junior government ministers - Anisul Huq Chowdhury and Ashiqur Rahman - escaped the violence unhurt, he said.
The ministers had arrived to address a political rally sponsored by the Awami League party at the town`s public library playground, where the BNP also planned a similar rally
at the same time.
The clashes erupted after both groups stood their ground and refused to vacate the premises. Neither group had obtained permission from police to hold their public meetings, the officer said.
Bureau Report
