Stone-throwing protesters demanding the postponement of this month's general elections battled riot police in Bangladesh's capital yesterday, despite the deployment of soldiers to quell the violence.
Police used batons and fired tear gas at thousands of protesters trying to overrun barbed-wire barricades erected around the downtown presidential palace, according to a reporter at the scene.
The new violence came on the third day of a crippling blockade imposed by a 19-party alliance that opposes Jan. 22 polls and has vowed to disrupt the vote.
There was no immediate report of any casualties.
Army troops joined the police in manning the barricades, but the soldiers did not intervene in the clashes, witnesses said.
Security forces cordoned off the official residence of the country's interim leader, President Iajuddin Ahmed, after the protesters vowed to lay siege to the building. Authorities earlier banned the protests in the area.
Despite heavy security and the ban, thousands of protesters poured into downtown Dhaka and took up positions close to the presidential palace.
Dhaka, the capital city of 10 million people, has remained cut off from rest of the country since the nationwide transport blockade began on Sunday.
Protests often turned violent with riot police clashing with protesters, leaving hundreds injured, including police, on Sunday and Monday. Most clashes on Monday occurred in the capital of Dhaka and its adjoining areas. Police used tear gas, rubber bullets and batons to disperse thousands of protesters. At least 300 people, including several police, were injured, the United News of Bangladesh agency reported.
Police declined to comment on the injuries.
The violence came during a crippling three-day nationwide transportation blockade, imposed by a 19-party alliance led by former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
The alliance has claimed that the voters' list for the Jan. 22 election has flaws including false names. The group wants the poll delayed until a problem-free list is available.
In an effort to force its demands, the alliance said it planned to keep blocking roads, railways and river routes yesterday to isolate Dhaka from the rest of the country.
But election officials and interim leader Ahmed have said the constitutionally mandated voting date cannot be changed.
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