A protester and a policeman have been killed and more than 100 others injured in clashes across Bangladesh as opposition parties enforced a countrywide shutdown of public transport.
Witnesses say police fired rubber bullets and tear gas at stone-throwing opposition supporters in the capital, Dhaka, and several other cities.
Millions of commuters were stranded as opposition activists and transport workers blockaded Bangladesh's highways, bus terminals, trains and ferries.
A 14-party opposition alliance led by the Awami League called the transport shutdown to pressure the government of Prime Minister Khaleda Zia to reform the election system before general elections are held in January.
Opposition parties are also demanding a say in the caretaker government that will take office in October to oversee the ballot.
Some information for this report was provided by Reuters.
