Saturday, February 5 2005 18:05 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Dhaka: At least 60 people were injured today (Feb 05, 2005) in sporadic clashes in Bangladesh as the authorities deployed thousands of police during an opposition-called nationwide general strike to protest a grenade attack that killed a former Finance Minister and four others.

Some 40 people were injured in clashes between pro and anti-strikers in northern Nilphamari district and 15 more in nearby Kishoreganj district in a similar incident, the ATN Bangla private television network said.

In both the incidents police used batons and fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowds, it said.

In capital Dhaka, sporadic incidents of violence were reported. Baton-charging police fired tear gas in the old parts of the city to disperse stone-throwing strikers shouting slogans, the television said showing footage of the clashes.

Reports said that the main Opposition Awami League MPs Mirza Azam and Sohel Taj were roughed up by police.

The rest were injured in other incidents in nearby Savar and southeastern port city of Chittagong, where police clashed with activists.

Official sources said that 11,000 security personnel have been deployed and that 300 extra policewomen have been called in to tackle female opposition activists, who have been violent during similar actions.

Several vehicles were torched and damaged overnight as Opposition groups staged pro-strike marches, police and witnesses said, adding several people suffered minor injuries.