Thousands of Bangladesh opposition activists holding banners reading "Why the bombings, why the bloodshed?" protested on Monday against a deadly grenade attack as extra armed police stood by to quell violence.
Go ask your local mullahs. I'm sure they might be able to tell you.
In the capital, Dhaka, more than 3,000 supporters of the main opposition Awami League staged a peaceful but noisy protest over the attack on a rally addressed by party president Sheikh Hasina two days ago that killed at least 17 and wounded more than 150. Dozens of seriously injured remained in hospital. "We want answers" and "Down with (Prime Minister) Khaleda Zia's government, long live Bangladesh," shouted the protesters, some holding black flags. Police armed with tear gas, riot shields and automatic rifles looked on. Earlier in the day, former prime minister Hasina told reporters that the government "should be ashamed of the incident and resign immediately heeding the people's voice." Mostly peaceful protests also took place in the northeastern town of Sylhet, the port city of Chittangong and other towns. But in Sherpur, a town 250 km (160 miles) northwest of Dhaka, a crude bomb was thrown at an Awami League protest, injuring one. On Sunday, Awami supporters ransacked a railway station and set fire to a train in protest. At least 50 people were injured in clashes across the country as Awami members accused the government of inaction after the attack. |