by Nozrul Islam

Demonstration called by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP ) continues, despite the deployment of thousands of police . The capital is isolated . Government supporters storm the Supreme Court building and attack lawyers "close" to the BNP . Sources tell AsiaNews : "The prime minister wants to prove her power, instead of solving the crisis."

Dhaka (AsiaNews) - Two confirmed dead, more than 1,000 opposition supporters arrested "as a preventative measure" and all forms of transport blocked - inbound and outbound - isolating Dhaka, the capital, from the rest of Bangladesh. This is the provisional toll from violence that broke out yesterday during the "March for Democracy " , organized by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP, opposition Nationalist Party ) calling for the cancellation of the general election next January 5. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina declared the protest illegal, but Khaleda Zia , leader of the BNP , urged his supporters to demonstrate against the government.

Clashes between protesters and officers - about 11 thousand police and Rapid Action Battalion special forces - began shortly after the start of the march . According to some witnesses, Jamaat-e- Islami activists ( Islamic fundamentalist party , an ally of the BNP) sparked the clashes with homemade bombs and grenades. The police responded by opening fire. A student of 21 years died hit by a police bullet. The second victim was a police officer, but there is no further information.

Khaleda Zia wanted to join the march yesterday afternoon , but was blocked by the police. Hundreds of officers surrounded his house and parked trucks loaded with sand on street corners. Police denied that the measures were taken to prevent the woman from reaching the protesters.

This morning, some agents allowed supporters of Awami League ( the ruling party ) to enter the building of the Supreme Court : armed with sticks and iron bars , they beat the lawyers considered "close" to the BNP position in upcoming elections .

The now rampant and systematic violence is the worst the country has ever experienced in 40 years since Independence . For the Ain Salish Kendro a well-known local organization for Human Rights , these clashes have caused 433 deaths and 21,024 wounded so far, with more than 150 since last October.

According to several commentators - international and non - the only one who could solve the situation is the premier, by taking a step back and postponing the elections. However, note local sources for AsiaNews , anonymous for security reasons, "Hasina is testing her strength . She has said that the elections will go ahead at all costs and after that, if the BNP agrees to break away from the Jamaat, then new elections will be considered. A proposal that could be made right now to solve this crisis. "

• BANGLADESH
• elections
• crisis
• BNP
• Awami
• league
• sheikh
• hasina
• protest