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Bangladesh strike over war crimes trials sparks clashes Bangladesh strike over war crimes trials sparks clashes
(about 5 hours later)
Police in Bangladesh have fired tear gas and rubber bullets as Islamist activists sought to enforce a national strike. Police in Bangladesh have fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse protesters during a strike called by the country's largest Islamist party.
Clashes took place in the capital Dhaka - where protesters torched vehicles - and other towns and cities. Clashes took place in the capital Dhaka - where demonstrators torched vehicles - and other towns and cities.
The strike has been called by the country's largest Islamist party, Jamaat-e-Islami, in protest at war crimes trials. The strike has been called by the Jamaat-e-Islami (J-e-I), in protest at war crimes trials in which a number of its leaders are charged.
Correspondents say much of the country has been brought to a standstill.Correspondents say much of the country has been brought to a standstill.
Many schools and businesses are shut and motorways deserted. Many schools and businesses are shut and roads deserted.
Jamaat-e-Islami supporters are outraged that some of their leaders have been put on trial for war crimes allegedly committed during the 1971 independence war. The BBC's Anbarasan Ethirajan reports in Dhaka says there are concerns about the country's political stability as the Jamaat-e-Islami has threatened to intensify its protests if the war crimes trial is not stopped.
They say the trials are politically motivated. The party's supporters are outraged that some of their leaders have been put on trial for crimes allegedly committed during the 1971 independence war. They say the trials are politically motivated.
Senior Jamaat leader Shafiqul Islam called on the government "to stop harassing our party leaders".
"We also want all our leaders in prison to be released. The illegal war crimes tribunal should be scrapped," he told the BBC.
Local media reported several home-made bombs exploding in Dhaka on Thursday.Local media reported several home-made bombs exploding in Dhaka on Thursday.
At Sanarpar, outside Dhaka, police fired rubber bullets and tear gas at strikers who set light to a lorry, police chief Abdul Matin told AFP news agency.At Sanarpar, outside Dhaka, police fired rubber bullets and tear gas at strikers who set light to a lorry, police chief Abdul Matin told AFP news agency.
Four protesters were arrested, he added.Four protesters were arrested, he added.
The strike follows violent protests in Dhaka on Monday.The strike follows violent protests in Dhaka on Monday.
Bangladesh says more than three million people died when troops were sent to stop East Pakistan becoming independent in 1971.Bangladesh says more than three million people died when troops were sent to stop East Pakistan becoming independent in 1971.
Earlier this month, a special tribunal sentenced a former member of Jamaat-e-Islami to death in absentia. Last week, a special tribunal sentenced a former member of Jamaat-e-Islami to death in absentia.
Eleven others, nine of them Jamaat leaders, are facing trial.Eleven others, nine of them Jamaat leaders, are facing trial.
All the defendants deny the charges and opposition leaders accuse the government of carrying out a political vendetta. Our correspondent says verdicts in the other cases are expected imminently.
All the defendants deny the charges and opposition leaders accuse the government of carrying out a political vendetta. Human rights groups say the International Crimes Tribunal falls short of international standards.