16 Killed In Poll-Bound Bangladesh!

DHAKA – Six persons werekilled in clashes in Bangladeshon Wednesday, taking the overalldeath toll in fresh politicalviolence to 16 as oppositionparties extended by 12 hourstheir nationwide protest topush for the postponement ofgeneral elections.Deadly clashes with police lefttwo opposition activists deadin northwestern Sirajganj whileseveral people, including threeparamilitary and police personnel,were injured in clashes inthe port city of Chittagong,reports said.An autorickshaw driver died inChittagong when his vehicleturned turtle after he waschased by activists of the mainopposition BNP and its rightwingally Jamaat-e-Islami. Theyalso torched another autorickshaw,injuring two persons.A leader of Awami League anda member of a union councilwere killed in clashes atKaliganj on the outskirts ofDhaka.Earlier in the day, a Jamaatactivist died in clashes withsecurity personnel in southwesternSatkhira, where Jamaatworkers allegedly hacked todeath two Awami Leagueworkers on Tuesday.The Bangladesh NationalistParty (BNP) and its allies hadyesterday launched a 48-hournationwide blockade of highways,railways and waterwaysto force the government to putoff the polls scheduled forJanuary 5, 2014.They demanded that the electionsshould be shelved untilthe government accepts theirdemand for the polls to beconducted by a non-partyinterim set-up.Violence that erupted after theElection Commissionannounced the poll scheduleon Monday claimed 10 lives.