Student dies in general strike chaos

Published on 20/03/2013 00:00

A STUDENT leader was killed amid widespread upheaval during a general strike in Bangladesh yesterday.

Dozens of bomb blasts were reported and a train was derailed in violence the government blamed on the opposition.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party and its 17 allies called the strike to demand the release of 154 activists detained this month. A strike was also staged on Monday and another is expected to hit the capital, Dhaka, tomorrow.

Those detained are facing charges of attacking police and creating chaos during an anti-government rally that ended abruptly amid explosions and clashes on 11 March.

In Dhaka, opposition activists detonated crude bombs and vandalised vehicles yesterday, ­according to reports.

Railway official Abul Kalam Azad said a train was derailed in north-east Moulvibazar after opposition activists vandalised the track. He said 15 passengers were slightly injured.

A student leader of the ruling Awami League bled to death after being hit with sharp weapons in fighting with opposition supporters in northern Tangail district, police said.