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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Police bar Bangladesh protesters | Police bar Bangladesh protesters |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Police in the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka have prevented thousands of protestors from surrounding the presidential palace in the centre of the city. | Police in the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka have prevented thousands of protestors from surrounding the presidential palace in the centre of the city. |
| Riot police used teargas for a third consecutive day to disperse stone throwing protestors, and have now brought the streets under control. | Riot police used teargas for a third consecutive day to disperse stone throwing protestors, and have now brought the streets under control. |
| Supporters of the Awami League and its allies threw home made bombs and missiles leaving dozens of police hurt. | Supporters of the Awami League and its allies threw home made bombs and missiles leaving dozens of police hurt. |
| The party and its allies want elections set for this month postponed. | The party and its allies want elections set for this month postponed. |
| Battlefield | Battlefield |
| They argue that the vote will not be free and fair. | They argue that the vote will not be free and fair. |
| Correspondents say that Dhaka was turned into a battlefield on Tuesday as protesters hurled bombs and rocks at police who responded with tear gas and rubber bullets. | Correspondents say that Dhaka was turned into a battlefield on Tuesday as protesters hurled bombs and rocks at police who responded with tear gas and rubber bullets. |
| Bangladesh on the brink | Bangladesh on the brink |
| Thousands of demonstrators, chanting "no elections on 22 January", clashed with police as they attempted to march to the presidential palace in Bangabhaban. | Thousands of demonstrators, chanting "no elections on 22 January", clashed with police as they attempted to march to the presidential palace in Bangabhaban. |
| In one clash at least 10 small bombs were thrown at riot police who responded with tear gas volleys, according to police and an AFP correspondent at the scene. | In one clash at least 10 small bombs were thrown at riot police who responded with tear gas volleys, according to police and an AFP correspondent at the scene. |
| "The activists threw small bombs, rocks and stones at our officers and we had no choice but to retaliate," Assistant Police Commissioner Rezaul Islam said. | "The activists threw small bombs, rocks and stones at our officers and we had no choice but to retaliate," Assistant Police Commissioner Rezaul Islam said. |
| Police said a total of 25 small bombs were thrown at officers during the two clashes. They say that at least eight officers were injured, three of them seriously. | Police said a total of 25 small bombs were thrown at officers during the two clashes. They say that at least eight officers were injured, three of them seriously. |
| It was the third day of clashes | It was the third day of clashes |
| Tuesday is the third day of a transport blockade imposed by the protesters which has cut off most major towns and cities including Dhaka. | Tuesday is the third day of a transport blockade imposed by the protesters which has cut off most major towns and cities including Dhaka. |
| Senior opposition leader Tofael Ahmed said at least 200 Awami League activists were hurt, although it was not known how many needed hospital treatment. | Senior opposition leader Tofael Ahmed said at least 200 Awami League activists were hurt, although it was not known how many needed hospital treatment. |
| Earlier, thousands of police and troops patrolled the streets of the capital and erected barbed wire barricades, blocking all roads leading to the presidential palace. | Earlier, thousands of police and troops patrolled the streets of the capital and erected barbed wire barricades, blocking all roads leading to the presidential palace. |
| Police say there were dozens of protests held across the city. | Police say there were dozens of protests held across the city. |
| Plan of action | Plan of action |
| The protests have hit other parts of the country: in the southern port city of Chittagong, officials say that a record 21,000 containers are waiting to be processed due to the suspension of operations, and at least 66 cargo vessels were stranded, unable to unload or take on new cargo. | The protests have hit other parts of the country: in the southern port city of Chittagong, officials say that a record 21,000 containers are waiting to be processed due to the suspension of operations, and at least 66 cargo vessels were stranded, unable to unload or take on new cargo. |
| The BBC's John Sudworth says that Dhaka is now becoming quieter, with many demonstrators dispersing peacefully. | The BBC's John Sudworth says that Dhaka is now becoming quieter, with many demonstrators dispersing peacefully. |
| Our correspondent say that while a few hundred protesters fought the police with stones, most were quickly moved away. | Our correspondent say that while a few hundred protesters fought the police with stones, most were quickly moved away. |
| The army are patrolling the streets | The army are patrolling the streets |
| President Iajuddin Ahmed says it is his constitutional duty to make sure the elections go ahead as planned on 22 January. | President Iajuddin Ahmed says it is his constitutional duty to make sure the elections go ahead as planned on 22 January. |
| He has headed a caretaker government since the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) handed over interim power at the end of October. | He has headed a caretaker government since the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) handed over interim power at the end of October. |
| But the Awami League and its allies say that the caretaker government led by the president has failed to ensure a free and fair vote. | |
| It has announced that it is holding a meeting on Wednesday to announce a plan of action for the coming days, and says it will disrupt the polls if they are allowed to go ahead. | It has announced that it is holding a meeting on Wednesday to announce a plan of action for the coming days, and says it will disrupt the polls if they are allowed to go ahead. |