Dhaka: Riot police fired rubber bullets and lobbed tear gas shells at H M Ershad supporters who went on a rampage today in northwestern Bangladesh during a day-long strike called to protest the scrapping of nomination papers of the former military ruler, convicted in a graft case.

Some 50 people were injured when supporters of Ershad clashed with police today.

Ershad, a crucial ally of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed's Awami League-led 'mega alliance' and considered a kingmaker in the Jan 22 general elections, filed nominations from five constituencies of the 300-seat Parliament.

Angry followers of the former dictator went on a rampage in several cities, including Ershad's hometown Rangpur. Chanting slogans like no Ershad, no election, the activists pelted stones and smashed cars, witnesses said.

Police used tear gas and rubber bullets to subdue the demonstrators.

Most shops remained shut and vehicular movement was thin in the five northwestern districts during the strike.

Poll officials rejected Ershad's nomination papers for four seats in different districts and referred the ones for Dhaka constituency to the Election Commission, after the Supreme Court on Tuesday asked him to surrender in the graft case.

Acting Chief Election Commissioner Mahfuzur Rahman said the poll body would take a final decision later today on Ershad's candidature while the 'mega alliance' called an emergency meeting of partners to fix their stand.