The Bangladesh capital turned into a battlefield on Tuesday as protesters demanding the scrapping of national elections hurled bombs and rocks at police who responded by firing tear gas and rubber bullets. Around 50,000 protesters, chanting “no elections on January 22”, clashed with officers as they attempted to march to the presidential palace, Bangabhaban, on the third day of a crippling nationwide blockade. In one clash at least 10 small bombs were thrown at riot police who responded with tear gas volleys, according to police. In a second similar incident, police also fired rubber bullets, police said. “The activists threw small bombs, rocks and stones at our officers and we had no choice but to retaliate,” said Assistant Police Comm-issioner Rezaul Islam. Police said a total of 25 small bombs were thrown at officers during the two clashes. “At least eight officers were injured, three of them seriously,” said Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka police Shahryar Rahman.
Senior opposition leader Tofael Ahmed said at least 200 Awami League activists were hurt. Earlier, thousands of police and troops patrolled the streets of the capital with barbed wire barricades, blocking all roads leading to the presidential palace.