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Bangladesh
Strike brings Bangladesh to halt
2006-04-25
Not that you'd notice.
Bangladesh has been brought to a virtual standstill by the second general strike in a week. There have been clashes in the capital, Dhaka.

The strike was called by the Awami League and 13 allies in the opposition. They are pressing the government to reform the electoral system ahead of polls due to be held in January. An unelected interim administration is due to supervise the elections. The opposition says it will be full of government supporters.
Reeeeeaallly? Golly gosh, is that how it's done?
There were few buses and cars on the streets of Dhaka at rush hour and shopkeepers kept their shutters down. Some tried to do business out of back doors, watching for signs of trouble.

Police used batons and fired teargas shells to disperse hundreds of protesters trying to march in the capital. At least 50 people were injured. Sporadic violence also took place in several other cities and towns.

The government is due to hand over to an unelected interim administration in October that will run the polls that are expected to take place in January. The opposition says the ruling alliance, led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, is preparing to pack the caretaker government with its supporters. It wants the interim administration appointed on the basis of consensus.
Like 'consensus' will happen in B'desh.
The BBC's Roland Buerk in Dhaka says that, with no sign of an agreement between the government and the opposition, Bangladesh seems set for months of political uncertainty.
Posted by:Steve White

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