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Riot police battle Islamists in Dhaka Bangladesh Riot police battle Islamists in Dhaka Bangladesh
(about 4 hours later)
Police in Bangladesh have used tear gas and rubber bullets in a clash with conservative Islamist protesters in the capital Dhaka. Clashes between police and Islamist protesters in the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka have left at least one person dead and 35 injured
Up to half a million protesters gathered in the city, where rioters set fire to shops and vehicles as police fought to contain them.
Thousands of activists from Hefajat-e-Islam blocked highways, isolating Dhaka from other parts of the country.Thousands of activists from Hefajat-e-Islam blocked highways, isolating Dhaka from other parts of the country.
Demands included the death penalty for those who insult Islam and greater segregation of men and women. Demands included the death penalty for those who insult Islam.
Their opposition to a national development policy for women angered women's groups. They also called for greater segregation of men and women. Their opposition to a national development policy for women has angered women's groups.
The movement draws its strength from the country's madrassahs or religious schools. Hefajat-e-Islam draws its strength from the country's madrassahs or religious schools.
But the government, which describes Bangladesh as a secular democracy, has rejected its demands. But the government, which describes Bangladesh as a secular democracy, has rejected its demand for a new law on blasphemy.
The country's Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, said current legislation was adequate.
'Hang atheists'
Chanting "Allahu Akbar!" ("God is greatest!") and "One point, One demand: Atheists must be hanged", Hefajat-e-Islam activists marched down at least six highways, AFP news agency reports.
They headed for Motijheel, the city's main commercial district.
The area around the city centre's largest mosque turned into a battleground as police reacted with tear gas, rubber bullets and truncheons to stone-throwing rioters.
Officials said at least one person had been killed, reportedly by gunfire.
Reports spoke of up to 45 people being injured, including two local TV journalists.
A Hefajat-e-Islam activist, Hossain Soliman Abdullah, said the main aim of the protest was to press for the implementation of a 13-point demand inspired by the Koran.
Dhaka's Daily Star newspaper reports that the group hired at least 3,000 vehicles, including buses, lorries and minibuses to bring demonstrators into the capital, while others travelled there by train.
On Friday, Prime Minister Hasina said the government had already met many of the points.
"Many of these have already been implemented while some are in the process," she told reporters, her words quoted by the Daily Star.
She said the government had already arrested four bloggers for making "derogatory comments" against the Prophet Muhammad and they would be prosecuted if found guilty.
Muslims make up nearly 90% of the country's population with the rest mostly Hindus.