Bangladesh’s opposition supporters clash with police as tensions run high ahead of general election

By JULHAS ALAM and KRUTIKA PATHI
Associated Press

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — Police in Bangladesh’s capital have fired tear gas to disperse supporters of the main opposition party who threw stones at security forces during a massive rally demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Police say one officer died and dozens have been injured alongside opposition supporters. The opposition wants the transfer of power to a non-partisan caretaker government to oversee general elections next year. The violence broke out in Dhaka when activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia allegedly attacked a bus carrying the ruling Awami League’s members to a separate rally a few blocks away. Footage on Somoy TV station showed a roadside police box on fire, torched vehicles and shattered glass.