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75 injured: Vehicles damaged

Pitched battles mark 'Dhaka siege'

By Staff Correspondent
At least 75 people were injured as opposition political activists fought pitched battles with police during a day-long agitation (hat disrupted normal life In the capital yesterday.
Thirteen people were arrested from Motijheel area and two others from Ramna area during the “Dhaka siege” programme of the Opposition which left a number of vehicles burnt, office buildings stoned and property damaged.
Ten people were admitted to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) with Injuries from bomb blasts and baton charge while many others received medicare for rubber bullet wounds and Injuries due to brickbatting.
Awami League. Jatiya Party and Jamaat-e-Islami organised the Dhaka siege1 to press ’their
demands for early general elections under a caretaker government and to protest short supply of fertiliser and price hike of rice.
Hundreds of opposition workers took to the streets defying an earlier police ban on demonstrations and agitated in the heart of the city since morning.
Fierce street fights took place between the police and the slogan-chanting opposition activists in the Dhaka University (DU) and Gulistan areas.
More than one hundred shots were fired and crude bombs exploded when supporters of the pro-Awami League Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) clashed with police on the DU campus. The clash started at about 11 30 am when police prevented a BCL procession near the Shikkha Bhaban which was proceeding towards the AL central office in Gulistan areg.
Obstructed by barbed-wire fences manned by police, someone from among the marchers threw a crude bomb at the police who retaliated with rubber bullets and tear-Ras
The processionists retreated towards the TSC of the Dhaka University and, on way they broke open the gate of the Atomic Energy Commission office.
Two buses of the Commission parked in the office premises and an autorickshaw were set ablaze while two other buses were badly damaged.
Some window-panes of the Commission Office were also smashed, according to witnesses.
When police arrived, the demonstrators fled the spot after firing blank shots from sawed-off rifles, stenguns and pistols, they said.
The police fired rubber bullets and lobbed tear gas shells to disperse the demonstrators and then chased them up to the Jagannath Hall.
The students ran away in all directions. Many suffered injuries in their frenzied efforts to escape the bullets and tear Ras
From early morning, the police put up barricades on all roads leading to the high-security Secretariat and its adjoining areas to avert violence.
Police In full riot gear, backed by BDR. was deployed at the strategic points In the
city.
All cars, buses, minibuses deserted the streets while rickshaws and small number of autorickshaws plied.
Offices at the Motijheel commercial area remained closed while commuters were seen going to their places of work on foot.
In the afternoon, however, automobiles began to come out on the streets.
Inter-city buses remained parked during the 'siege' but later left the stations.
In Gulistan area, opposition supporters hurled brickbats and crude bombs Immediately after an Awami League rally.
Witnesses said that hun-'dreds of activists wielding sticks Jeered at the police who used batons, tear gas and coloured water during the off-and-on clashes that started from 11 am. Dozens of crackers were set off as the demonstrators shouted anti-government sologans.
Several crackers were hurled during Jatiya Party's rally after the siege' at the Shapla square al about 4 pm. None was. however, hurt.
Sporadic clashes also took place in the stadium. Mirpur. Kalabagan. Sheorapara, Malib-agh. Khilgaon and Jatrabari areas.