DHAKA – At least three persons were killed in sporadic clashes in Bangladesh today during a nationwide general strike called by fundamentalist Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) to protest their leaders’ ongoing trial for 1971 war crimes.
Witnesses said JI activists visibly took a hit and run strategy in Dhaka and several other cities amid a clarion call by rival protesters at Shahbagh Square to defy the strike.
One pedestrian was killed when a minibus overturned as it was chased by JI activists, who also damaged four buses in the capital. The transport operators defied the JI’s strike call expressing solidarity with demands for trial of “crimes against humanity” during the 1971 war against Pakistan.
Another death was reported from central Comilla district where JI activists clashed with the police. Witnesses said one person died with bullet injuries after JI protesters went on rampage on the street prompting the police intervention.
