This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-22418379

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Riot police battle Islamists in Dhaka Bangladesh Riot police battle Islamists in Dhaka Bangladesh
(about 1 hour later)
Clashes between police and Islamist protesters in the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka have left at least one person dead and 35 injured Clashes between police and Islamist protesters in the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka have left at least three people dead and 60 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.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. They are calling for those who insult Islam to face the death penalty.
They also called for greater segregation of men and women. Their opposition to a national development policy for women has angered women's groups. They also want greater segregation of men and women, as well as the imposition of stricter Islamic education.
Hefajat-e-Islam draws its strength from the country's madrassahs or religious schools. The group's opposition to a national development policy for women has angered women's groups.
But the government, which describes Bangladesh as a secular democracy, has rejected its demand for a new law on blasphemy. Hefajat-e-Islam draws its strength from the country's madrassahs, or religious schools.
The country's Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, said current legislation was adequate. But the government, which describes Bangladesh as a secular democracy, has rejected the group's demand for a new law on blasphemy.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said current legislation was adequate.
'Hang atheists''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. Chanting "Allahu Akbar!" ("God is greatest!") and "One point! One demand! Atheists must be hanged", the activists marched down at least six main roads, AFP news agency reported.
They headed for Motijheel, the city's main commercial district.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. The area around the city centre's largest mosque turned into a battleground as police reacted to stone-throwing rioters with tear gas, rubber bullets and truncheons.
Officials said at least one person had been killed, reportedly by gunfire. Three people were killed, the BBC Bengali service reported, with at least one dying of gunshot wounds.
Reports spoke of up to 45 people being injured, including two local TV journalists. Reports spoke of some 60 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.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.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. On Friday, Mr Hasina said the government had already met many of the group's demands.
"Many of these have already been implemented while some are in the process," she told reporters, her words quoted by the Daily Star. "Many of these have already been implemented while some are in the process," she was quoted as telling 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.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.Muslims make up nearly 90% of the country's population with the rest mostly Hindus.