Reuters: Clashes spread as blockade paralyzes Bangladesh

[Eugene]

Clashes spread as blockade paralyzes Bangladesh

By Anis Ahmed
32 minutes ago

DHAKA (Reuters) - Bangladesh's army chief was summoned to the presidential
palace on Monday following a day of renewed clashes between police and political
activists two weeks before parliamentary elections.

At least 50 people were injured and 30 detained on the second day of a transport
blockade, called by former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's multi-party alliance,
which is boycotting the January 22 vote.

-snip-

About 70 people including police were injured on Sunday, the first day of the three-
day blockade.

Hasina's alliance called for the blockade in protest at what it sees as the interim
government's inability to hold a free and fair vote. It says Iajuddin favors Hasina's
rival, Begum Khaleda Zia, in the polls.

-snip-

Full article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070108/wl_nm/bangladesh_dc