At least 200 people were hurt in street clashes between police and opposition activists blockading Bangladesh's capital Dhaka on Sunday, witnesses said.
Rock-throwing protesters fought riot police at Kanchpur on the outskirts. Police used tear gas and baton charges and detained nearly 50 people. At least 70 were injured, including former army chief K.M. Shafiullah, an opposition supporter.
Protesters succeeded in preventing most traffic from moving in or out of Dhaka. As the nine-hour blockade ended, the opposition called for a countrywide 36-hour general strike from 6 am on Tuesday, following a day of protests on Monday.
"We are calling for the two-day strike in protest against ruthless and barbaric police actions on Sunday," Awami League General Secretary Abdul Jalil told a news conference.
In a statement Awami chief Sheikh Hasina congratulated Bangladeshis for "staging a successful showdown against the repressive government, defying atrocities by police".
Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Moudud Ahmed, referring to a High Court ruling, said: "It is unfortunate that the opposition continued their campaign of destruction and violence despite a legal injunction against such activities.
"It was expected that everyone would honour any decision of the court," he said.