NEARLY TWO DOZEN KILLED AND HUNDREDS MORE WOUNDED IN CLASHES IN DHAKA

      Dhaka, Bangladesh, 26 Jumadil Akhir 1434/6 May 2013 (MINA) – Nearly two dozen people have died and hundreds more wounded during fresh clashes between Bangladeshi police and protesters demanding new legislation on blasphemy in the capital, Dhaka.

      Fresh clashes between Bangladeshi police and protesters demanding new legislation on blasphemy in the capital, Dhaka, killed nearly two dozen people have died and hundreds more wounded.

     The clashes erupted late on Sunday (5/5) and continued until early Monday after security forces attacked tens of thousands of people who had gathered at a key commercial district of the capital, calling on the government to support a new blasphemy law.

     Dhaka police spokesman Masudur Rahman confirmed that security forces used sound grenades, water cannon, tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the protesters, Press TV quoted by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

     “We were forced to act after they unlawfully continued their gathering at Motijheel. They attacked us with bricks, stones, rods and bamboo sticks,” the police official said.
      Police inspector Mozammel Haq at Dhaka Medical College Hospital said that some casualties suffered bullet wounds.
      On Sunday, at least three people were killed and several others severely injured in similar clashes with security forces in Dhaka.
      Hundreds of thousands of supporters of the opposition and Islamic parties blocked transport and major highways to and from the capital.
      The government, however, has refused to accept the protesters’ demands including passing a new law on blasphemy. (T/P09/E1).

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA).