Dhaka: Around 200 people were severely injured in violent clashes with the police in Bangladesh. They were demanding the resignation of the Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.
The clashes happened during Bangladesh's main opposition party Awami League's Dhaka Siege.
One of their main demands is electoral reform ahead of elections in January 2007.
Leaders of the Awami League party blocked the city entry points and didn't let vehicles enter the Capital.
This led to violent clashes with the police. The Opposition alliance says the government is corrupt and is trying to use the election commission to guarantee victory in the election.
"We are calling for the two-day strike in protest against ruthless and barbaric police actions on Sunday," Awami League General Secretary Abdul Jalil told a news conference.
In a statement Awami chief Sheikh Hasina congratulated Bangladeshis for "staging a successful showdown against the repressive government, defying atrocities by police".
Tension remained high in the capital city of 10 million people after dusk, but transport slowly returning to the streets. Police used tear gas and baton charges and detained nearly 50 people at Kanchpur, which is on the main Dhaka-Chittagong highway.
As the battle raged, hundreds of people from nearby villages, brandishing sticks, joined the protesters, forcing police to make a temporary retreat. The protesters burned several vehicles, including a police car.
Policemen were hurt by flying rocks, witnesses said.
With Reuters input
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