The opposition is demanding the resignation of prime minister Sheikh Hasina and the transfer of power to a non-partisan caretaker government
Authorities in Bangladesh have arrested a key opposition figure from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and sent him to prison after a nationwide strike led to violent clashes with security forces.
Media reports said at least three civilians died in the violence, which included an arson attack in the nation’s capital, Dhaka, on Sunday. Dozens of others were injured during the strike.
At least one police officer was killed and scores were injured on Saturday when a massive rally by tens of thousands of opposition activists turned violent, police said. The opposition is demanding the resignation of prime minister Sheikh Hasina and the transfer of power to a non-partisan caretaker government to oversee general elections next year.
After almost nine hours in detention, police late on Sunday arrested Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the secretary general of the Nationalist Party led by former prime minister Khaleda Zia, Hasina’s main rival, according to Faruk Hossain, deputy commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan police in charge of media.
Hossain also said that 1,300 people were being investigated for Saturday’s violence. Local reports said police had raided the homes of several opposition leaders overnight in Dhaka.
Alamgir appeared before a magistrate court late on Sunday when his bail request was rejected and he was ordered to be sent to prison, pending further legal procedures involving charges of vandalism during Saturday’s violence.
