Scores injured as violence hits Bangladesh amid nationwide strike

Scores of people were injured as violence raged across Bangladesh on Tuesday, the last of a three-day strike called by opposition activists in a bid to pressure the prime minister to resign.

The Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industries, the country’s business body, expressed concern over the latest crisis that has killed at least 15 people since the weekend and urged both the government and opposition to resolve disputes through dialogue.

Homemade bombs exploded in parts of the country on Tuesday, injuring a police official in the capital, said Sheikh Maruf Hasan, a Dhaka Metropolitan official.

Scores more have been injured across the country since Sunday, when the decades-old rivalry between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and opposition leader Khaleda Zia flared anew with the nationwide strike closing down businesses and roads and government opponents clashing with police and ruling party supporters.

Hasina called Zia on Saturday to appeal to her not to enforce the strike. It was believed to be the first time the two have had a conversation in at least a decade.

Despite the highly unusual appeal from the prime minister, Zia refused to call off the strike, which was due to end on Tuesday.