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Bangladesh deaths as Jamaat protest strike begins | Bangladesh deaths as Jamaat protest strike begins |
(about 4 hours later) | |
At least 16 people have died in clashes in Bangladesh at the start of a strike called over a death sentence given to an Islamist party leader. | |
Delwar Hossain Sayeedi, of Jamaat-e-Islami, was sentenced on charges including murder, rape and torture during the war of independence in 1971. | Delwar Hossain Sayeedi, of Jamaat-e-Islami, was sentenced on charges including murder, rape and torture during the war of independence in 1971. |
Thursday's sentence sparked riots that have left about 60 people dead. | |
The Islamists say the tribunal is politically motivated, something the Bangladesh government denies. | The Islamists say the tribunal is politically motivated, something the Bangladesh government denies. |
Jamaat-e-Islami called a two-day strike across the country, beginning on Sunday, in protest at the court ruling. | |
Troops have been deployed in the northern district of Bogra, as Bangladeshi media reported Jamaat activists attacking police outposts early on Sunday. | |
At least eight people were killed and dozens hurt when protesters attacked police in different areas of Bogra, Reuters news agency said, citing police reports. | |
There were at least two further deaths in the north-western town of Godagari. | |
Border guards and police opened fire on protesters who were attacking police with sticks and stones, an official told the news agency AFP. | |
And another three people died in the Joypurhar district, the Daily Star newspaper said. | |
The BBC's Anbarasan Ethirajan in the southern city of Chittagong says there has been no let up in the violence since the death sentence was issued. | The BBC's Anbarasan Ethirajan in the southern city of Chittagong says there has been no let up in the violence since the death sentence was issued. |
Police have fought pitched battles with supporters of the Islamist party in many parts of the country. | Police have fought pitched battles with supporters of the Islamist party in many parts of the country. |
Three people were killed in Chittagong on Saturday and Jamaat-e-Islami has accused the police of firing without provocation. | Three people were killed in Chittagong on Saturday and Jamaat-e-Islami has accused the police of firing without provocation. |
The Bangladeshi government rejected the criticism, saying violence against civilians and police officers would not be tolerated. | The Bangladeshi government rejected the criticism, saying violence against civilians and police officers would not be tolerated. |
'Very dangerous' | |
In the capital, Dhaka, on Saturday, activists clashed with riot police, who used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse them. | |
One of the city's residents, Jahangir Alam, told the BBC he had seen a bus burning on the street. | |
"The police were trying to control the situation, but they were having stones and other objects throw at them," he said. | |
"People in the street are very, very afraid of Jamaat-e-Islam. I am scared. Evening time is the worst; from 7pm to 9pm it is very dangerous in the street." | |
The US has expressed concern about the violence and has appealed for the protests to be peaceful. | The US has expressed concern about the violence and has appealed for the protests to be peaceful. |
The special war crimes tribunal is trying those accused of collaborating with Pakistani forces and committing atrocities during the country's independence war in 1971. | The special war crimes tribunal is trying those accused of collaborating with Pakistani forces and committing atrocities during the country's independence war in 1971. |
The tribunal is trying a total of nine Jamaat leaders and two members of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The BNP has also called for a nationwide strike, to take place on Tuesday. | The tribunal is trying a total of nine Jamaat leaders and two members of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The BNP has also called for a nationwide strike, to take place on Tuesday. |
Earlier this month, another Jamaat leader, Abdul Kader Mullah, was sentenced to life for crimes against humanity. | Earlier this month, another Jamaat leader, Abdul Kader Mullah, was sentenced to life for crimes against humanity. |
In January, former party leader Abul Kalam Azad was found guilty in absentia of eight charges of crimes against humanity and sentenced to death. | In January, former party leader Abul Kalam Azad was found guilty in absentia of eight charges of crimes against humanity and sentenced to death. |
However, human rights groups have said the tribunal falls short of international standards. | However, human rights groups have said the tribunal falls short of international standards. |
With Jamaat threatening more protests, there are increasing concerns over political stability in the country, our correspondent says. | With Jamaat threatening more protests, there are increasing concerns over political stability in the country, our correspondent says. |
Are you in Bangladesh? What are your views on the protest? Please contact us using the form below. | Are you in Bangladesh? What are your views on the protest? Please contact us using the form below. |