Clashes between Bangladesh police and opposition activists left nearly 70 people injured and transport and business were largely paralysed on Tuesday, the first day of a two-day strike for electoral reforms.
An opposition alliance led by former prime minister Sheikh Hasina called the strike to try to force the government to accept demands for electoral reform ahead of next January's parliamentary election.
The demands include the removal of the election commissioner and an opposition say in the caretaker administration to be appointed to run the country ahead of the polls.
While the impoverished country remains divided over political issues, the business community says it is fed up with repeated shut downs that badly affect production and exports.
Obaidul Karim, chairman of the Orion Group of industries, said: "During hartals (strikes) we are forced to close our trade and business. The Orion Group does business in textiles, pharmaceuticals, banking, electronics, printing, power and construction sectors.
The clashes occurred on Tuesday in Dhaka, nearby Narayanganj and northern Sirajganj, where police used batons and tear gas to disperse marching activists, witnesses said.
The protesters responded by throwing rocks at police. Protesters set fire to seven vehicles, including a police car and three goods trucks, in Dhaka and its suburbs, police said. Inter-district buses were off the road, but river ferries operated with fewer than normal loads, witnesses said. Several domestic and international flights were cancelled or delayed, airport officials said.
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