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Bangladesh opposition begins three-day general strike Bangladesh opposition begins three-day general strike
(about 5 hours later)
Bangladesh's main opposition party and its allies have begun a three-day strike over the government's failure to set up a caretaker cabinet in the run-up to the country's general elections. Bangladeshi opposition parties have begun a three-day strike to try to force the government to quit.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party party (BNP), led by Khaleda Zia, is calling for the government to step aside ahead of the polls due in January. At least one protester has already been killed after police opened fire on crowds in central Bangladesh.
The strike is going ahead despite pleas from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The opposition says the government is legally obliged to install a caretaker administration to oversee the general election, due in January.
In comes after at least six people were killed during fresh unrest on Friday. But Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her critics disagree over the composition of the interim government.
The violence flared as police and protesters clashed in some parts of the country, leaving more than 100 injured. The build-up to the strike has been marred by violence, with at least six people killed in clashes between police and protesters on Friday.
The violence rumbled on during Sunday, with reports saying a 22-year-old opposition activist was shot dead by police.
The police said they were forced to open fire because the protesters pelted them with stones and blocked a main road in Faridpur district, about 130km (80 miles) west of Dhaka.
Rare phone callRare phone call
The strike began at 06:00 (00:00 GMT), with the BNP and its Islamist ally the Jamaat-e-Islam hoping to bring the country to a standstill. The strike began at 06:00 (00:00 GMT), with the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its Islamist ally Jamaat-e-Islam hoping to bring the country to a standstill.
They want to force the prime minister to allow a neutral caretaker administration to oversee the election process.They want to force the prime minister to allow a neutral caretaker administration to oversee the election process.
But Ms Hasina, who heads the Awami League, has rejected such a plan saying there is no scope for unelected people to supervise the vote.But Ms Hasina, who heads the Awami League, has rejected such a plan saying there is no scope for unelected people to supervise the vote.
Khaleda Zia announced that the national shutdown would be going ahead from Sunday, despite a rare phone call with Ms Hasina in which the the prime minister asked her to call off the strike. BNP leader Khaleda Zia announced that the national shutdown would be going ahead from Sunday, despite a rare phone call with Ms Hasina in which the the prime minister asked her to call off the strike.
It is thought to be the first time the bitter rivals have spoken directly for a decade.It is thought to be the first time the bitter rivals have spoken directly for a decade.
The BNP and its allies are refusing to participate in elections under current constitutional provisions, which do not allows for a neutral, caretaker government, or require the incumbent prime minister to step down during the interim period. The BNP and its allies are refusing to participate in elections under current constitutional provisions, which do not allow for a neutral, caretaker government, or require the incumbent prime minister to step down during the interim period.
The opposition fears the government will rig the polls if it remains in power.The opposition fears the government will rig the polls if it remains in power.
Sabir Mustafa of the BBC's Bengali Service says there is great deal of concern among the public about what might happen in the days ahead, especially if the opposition and government supporters come face-to-face in the street.Sabir Mustafa of the BBC's Bengali Service says there is great deal of concern among the public about what might happen in the days ahead, especially if the opposition and government supporters come face-to-face in the street.
Friday's violence came as security officials opened fire on opposition supporters trying to defy a ban on protests.Friday's violence came as security officials opened fire on opposition supporters trying to defy a ban on protests.
Two people were killed in the coastal district of Cox's Bazar, according to reports.Two people were killed in the coastal district of Cox's Bazar, according to reports.
Local media said at least two people had died in the central district of Chandpur, while protesters also died in the northern town of Jaldhaka and the northern district of Nilphamari.Local media said at least two people had died in the central district of Chandpur, while protesters also died in the northern town of Jaldhaka and the northern district of Nilphamari.
Demonstrators set vehicles on fire in the capital Dhaka.Demonstrators set vehicles on fire in the capital Dhaka.
A series of rulings against Jamaat have led to violent protests across Bangladesh, with more than 150 people killed in clashes with police since the beginning of this year.A series of rulings against Jamaat have led to violent protests across Bangladesh, with more than 150 people killed in clashes with police since the beginning of this year.