Islamist protesters clash with police in Bangladesh, at least 20 dead

More than 22 persons died and several others were injured on Sunday, after hardline Islamic activists calling for the enactment of an anti-blasphemy law clashed with Bangladesh police, in the capital Dhaka.       

Police fired rubber bullets to disperse the stone-throwing activists.                  

The activists were among thousands demonstrating around Dhaka, blocking roads and cutting off the city from the rest of the country.               

Clashes broke out in central Dhaka as activists started pelting police with stones, a police official said.                  

He spoke on condition of anonymity under local briefing rules.             

An unidentified man was killed and at least 45 people were injured, the official said. He provided no further details.         

Police said protesters also set many shops and at least 30 vehicles on fire.            

Authorities deployed more than 15-thousand security forces in the capital.         

Activists from Hefajat-e-Islam, a newly formed group, organized the rally.           

Earlier in the day they gathered in Dhaka's Motijheel commercial district to press for their demands.          

The group says some Internet users have recently used their blogs to spread atheism and lies about Islam.         

The government in this Muslim-majority nation has rejected the groups' demands, saying Bangladesh is governed by secular liberal laws.


APTN