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Deadly clashes broke out on the streets of Bangladesh yesterday on the first anniversary of controversial elections, as police confined the leader of the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party to her office in the capital.
Police said two supporters of the BNP were killed in clashes with ruling party activists in the northern town of Natore, fuelling tensions on a day the party has declared "Democracy Killing Day".
BNP leader Khaleda Zia has urged activists to take to the streets in their thousands as part of a campaign to force Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to hold fresh polls.
A local police inspector, Mohammad Fariduddin, said the two BNP activists were shot dead during clashes with supporters of Hasina's Awami League.
At least 15 people were injured, he added.
Violence also broke out in the capital and in around half a dozen towns as police and Awami League followers clashed with hundreds of BNP protesters, local television channels said.
Zia has been confined in her office since Saturday night.
Authorities stepped up the blockade yesterday by parking 11 trucks laden with sand and bricks outside the office to try and prevent her from leading protests in person.
Riot police, flanked by armoured vehicles equipped with water cannon, prevented anyone from entering or leaving the premises.
"The trucks have been parked in an effort to step up her security," said Gulshan police chief Rafiqul Islam.
Hasina, who has been in power since 2009, was re-elected on January 5, 2014, in what was effectively a one-horse race after the BNP and around 20 other opposition parties boycotted the poll over rigging fears.


Clashes across Bangladesh as opposition leader confined to office

Soldiers near the opposition leader's home. Photo: AFP

Bangladesh Nationalist Party  leader Khaleda Zia. Photo: AFP

Commuters try to get on a bus during the rally called by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Photo: Xinhua

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