Thursday, March 30 2006 14:30 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Dhaka: Over 400 people were injured in the Bangladeshi capital today (Mar 30, 2006) as police fired tear gas and used batons to disperse protesting opposition activists marching towards the government secretariat complex.

Clashes erupted in and around the secretariat complex as opposition activists trying to stage a sit-in demonstration outside the complex forced their way through police barricades defying a 24-hour ban, witnesses said.

Main opposition Awami League leaders at the scene put the number of injured at over 400, including several party leaders.

Around 8,000 security personnel were on alert to stem violence feared during the anti-government action.

Security personnel were deployed in different roads and areas leading to the government security complex, the heart of administration.

"We are not going to obstruct their protest action the security measures have been taken to protect the secretariat complex," State Minister for Home Lutfuzzaman Babor had told sources earlier.

Authorities have slapped a 24 hour-ban on gathering around the secretariat complex, but the opposition vowed to go ahead.

The opposition protest is to push its demands including reforming the election process and the election commission.