Officials in Bangladesh say clashes in the capital between security forces and opposition activists have left one student dead.
Authorities say the student was killed Sunday in Dhaka as demonstrators gathered in defiance of a government ban on large political gatherings.
Thousands of security forces have been deployed to the capital in an effort to prevent the mass rally calling on Prime Minister Shiekh Hasina to cancel elections set for January 5.
The opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party insists the prime minister should resign and hand over power to an independent caretaker to oversee the polls. Prime Minister Hasina has rejected the demand and has vowed to go ahead with the elections.
Former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia was expected to address the demonstration later Sunday, but scores of police surrounding her home have stopped her car from leaving her residence.
Police have detained hundreds of people in the lead up to Sunday's rally
Authorities say the student was killed Sunday in Dhaka as demonstrators gathered in defiance of a government ban on large political gatherings.
Thousands of security forces have been deployed to the capital in an effort to prevent the mass rally calling on Prime Minister Shiekh Hasina to cancel elections set for January 5.
The opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party insists the prime minister should resign and hand over power to an independent caretaker to oversee the polls. Prime Minister Hasina has rejected the demand and has vowed to go ahead with the elections.
Former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia was expected to address the demonstration later Sunday, but scores of police surrounding her home have stopped her car from leaving her residence.
Police have detained hundreds of people in the lead up to Sunday's rally