This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/6164468.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Bangladesh poll protests resume Fifty hurt in Bangladesh clashes
(30 minutes later)
Hundreds of protesters in Bangladesh have resumed an indefinite nationwide transport blockade to demand electoral reform. At least 50 people have been injured in clashes in northern Bangladesh as a major political alliance resumed a nationwide transport blockade.
They want the chief commissioner overseeing national elections due in January to be replaced. Police said the clashes took place in the town of Natore.
A 14-party alliance led by the Awami League party has called for MA Aziz to resign or to be dismissed. The fighting was between supporters of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Awami League. Witnesses said both groups used firearms.
They accuse him of trying to rig the elections in favour of the rival Bangladesh Nationalist Party. The Awami League want the chief commissioner overseeing elections due in January to be replaced.
Mr Aziz has denied the allegations. Tear gas
Witnesses say opposition supporters are squatting on roads linking the capital Dhaka, with Bangladesh's main port, Chittagong, and other major towns. Police officer Liakat Ali said the local party chief of the BNP was among those hurt by bullets during clashes with the opposition Awami League in Natore.
Thousands of protesters have recently taken to the streets
"Supporters of both parties clashed with guns and bombs at the heart of the town as both wanted to hold rallies there," he told the AFP news agency.
Police say that they used tear gas and batons to disperse the crowd.
Meanwhile thousands of supporters of both the BNP and the Awami League held peaceful rallies in the capital, Dhaka.
Witnesses say opposition supporters are squatting on roads linking Dhaka with the country's main port, Chittagong, and other major towns.
A four-day blockade last week caused widespread disruption.A four-day blockade last week caused widespread disruption.
The country's interim government has issued a statement warning of serious consequences if the transport blockade continued. The interim government which is overseeing the election has issued a statement warning of serious consequences if the transport blockade continued.
'Illegal' Optimistic
The action was "anti-constitutional and illegal" and in cutting off the supply of food and medical supplies risked creating a humanitarian disaster, it said.The action was "anti-constitutional and illegal" and in cutting off the supply of food and medical supplies risked creating a humanitarian disaster, it said.
Business leaders have also urged an end to the blockade, warning it could cost the country millions of dollars a day in lost export earnings. But the BBC's Waliur Rahman in Dhaka says that advisers to the caretaker government are optimistic that a solution to the crisis will be found in the next couple of days.
More than 20 people were killed in clashes between rival political camps when Bangladesh Nationalist Party's term expired in October. The Chief Election Commissioner, MA Aziz, met three advisers to discuss the issue on Monday.
Mr Aziz made no comments following the talks.
More than 20 people were killed in clashes between rival political camps when the BNP's period of government expired in October.
The country's figurehead president, Iajuddin Ahmed, assumed control of the government after the political parties failed to agree on who should lead the caretaker administration to oversee the vote.The country's figurehead president, Iajuddin Ahmed, assumed control of the government after the political parties failed to agree on who should lead the caretaker administration to oversee the vote.