At least one person was killed and over 100 wounded in fresh political violence in Bangladesh on Monday as the outgoing prime minister said she would deal sternly with the opposition if it continued demands for reforms.
But main opposition leader Sheikh Hasina announced after meeting President Iajuddin Ahmed, who has assumed additional responsibility as head of a caretaker government, that a three-day blockade of highways and other protests would be called off immediately.
A man was killed in a south-western town and about 120 people were wounded in fresh clashes between rival activists across the country on Monday, raising the toll to 26 over the last four days, police said.
Speaking at a huge rally in the capital, Khaleda said she had had enough of the opposition's demands. "The opposition will be dealt with a heavy hand if they try to disrupt the elections in the name of demands for electoral reforms," she said.
The president began meeting top political leaders, including opposition leader Hasina, who heads the Awami League party. He is to soon appoint a panel of 10 advisers to help him ahead of the elections and take charge of key ministries.