Fresh political violence leaves 4 dead in Bangladesh
At least four people, including a police officer, have lost their lives in Bangladesh following the intensification of violence by anti-government protesters demanding the overthrow of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
According to sources, a truck was firebombed early Thursday in the northern town of Bogra, killing the driver and his passenger.
Meanwhile, police officials reported that a protester was also shot dead in the capital, Dhaka, after he threw a petrol bomb at a police patrol van.
In another incident, a police officer succumbed to his injuries sustained last month during protest attacks blamed on the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.
“He was among several officers who were injured when a petrol bomb was thrown at a police bus on January 17 by protesters,” Dhaka police spokesman Masudur Rahman confirmed.
The latest strikes come as an arson attack on a bus traveling from the coastal city of Cox's Bazar to Dhaka killed seven people and injured 16 others on Tuesday.
Bangladeshi authorities have recently put more pressure on 69-year-old Zia, who has been confined in her office at the opposition headquarters in Dhaka since January 3.
On January 6, Zia called for a nationwide transport blockade as part of efforts to overthrow the government of Sheikh Hasina and pave the way for new elections.
Since the start of the blockade, a large number of cars and buses have been set ablaze or damaged and several trains have been derailed.
Hasina, who was re-elected in the January 5, 2014 polls, has warned Zia of “dire consequences” if the raids carry on. The election was boycotted by the opposition in the country.
HJM/NN/HMV
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