Bangladesh: Police and protesters clash during strike

BBC News

By Anbarasan Ethirajan

3 July 2011 Last updated at 12:07 GMT

More than 100 people were arrested for violent conduct, police say

Police in the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka have used batons to disperse protesters during a six-hour strike against a gas exploration deal with the US energy giant ConocoPhillips.

Most shops, businesses and schools were closed and very few vehicles were on the roads during the strike called by a left-leaning citizens’ group.

The group says the deal compromises Bangladesh’s interests.

Strikes called by political parties are not uncommon in Bangladesh.

But this time a shut down was enforced by the National Committee for Protection of Oil and Gas and Ports.

The left-wing group wants the government to scrap a deal with the US oil giant ConocoPhillips to explore for gas in the Bay of Bengal.

The strike forced most businesses, offices and schools in Dhaka to close.

Deal ‘misinterpreted’

Police said more than 100 protesters were arrested for violent conduct. Read more…

More news

• Bangladesh strike hit by clashes
• Bangladesh: Bloggers Arrested While Protesting Against Energy Deal
• Bangladeshis protest gas deal with general strike
• Arrests mark half-day hartal in Bangladesh’s capital
• Bangladesh strike clashes erupt
• Bangladesh hit by strike over offshore gas deal
• Bangladeshis protest gas deal with general strike
• The deepening energy crisis
• At least 150 protesters arrested in Bangladesh
• Bangladeshi strike leaders arrested in anti-gas deal protest
• Clashes with police erupt inside Dhaka University – Dhaka
• Over 150 detained during hartal

~ par Alain Bertho sur 4 juillet 2011.

Publié dans émeutes, riots