Police clubbed and detained many opposition activists in a move to foil a day-long strike that partially halted traffic and disrupted business in the Bangladesh capital, Dhaka, on Saturday. Those detained included about 10 women activists of main opposition party, the Awami League, which called for the countrywide strike, the first in the new year.
The strike aimed to press authorities to ensure "fool-proof security" for party leader Sheikh Hasina, and reducing prices of foodgrains as well as the cost of transport fuel.
Hasina, a former prime minister, escaped a grenade attack on a rally she was addressing in Dhaka on August 21, in which 23 Awami leaders and workers were killed and scores were wounded.
Many offices worked with thin staffing in Dhaka, while most businesses and schools were closed, witnesses said.
They said police scuffled with opposition activists and used batons to disperse chanting protesters in downtown Dhaka. But no major violence was reported.