DHAKA, Oct. 10, Reuters: Police fired tear gas, injuring at least four people, and arrested others to stop a key Bangladeshi Opposition Leader Begum Khaleda Zia from addressing a rally against week’s presidential election.
Officials in northern town of Ngh banned the public assembly of more than three people soon after the incident.
A senior official told Reuters by telephone that the police used teargas after Khaleda’s supporters defied a martial law ban on anti election activities.
He ‘said they became unruly after Khaleda was stopped outside the town as she arrived from Dhaka to address the rally.
She was ordered by police to: return to the capital.
Police first used clubs but fired teargas canisters when the angry crowd started throwing sqones. The official said.
Khaleda later returned to Dhaka and accused President Hussain Mohammad Ershad of using police for political ends.
“It clearly proves that he (Ershad) is trying to meet his political challenge with physical force,” she told reporters.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 17, 1986
