Opposition activists in Bangladesh have defied a fresh police ban on rallies and marches, enforcing a nationwide transport blockade for a third day.
Supporters of the Awami League-led opposition alliance protesting against elections scheduled for January 22, fought pitched battles in the Bangladeshi capital with police, witnesses said.
A Reuters cameraman said police using batons and tear gas struggled to drive back activists hurling stones, bricks and homemade bombs.
Witnesses said at least 100 people were injured and dozens detained by police.
"Smoke from the home-made bombs and teargas shells covered the area, with people running for cover," one witness said.
The injured included 20 leaders of different parties, while police said they detained dozens of activists. About 230 people have been injured in clashes during the past three days.
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"Why can't people in this country resolve their differences in a civilised way instead of resorting to violence and anarchy?"
Shafiq, Dhaka, Bangladesh
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Abdul Jalil, general-secretary of the Awami League, said they would defy all bans to implement their protest.
He called on alliance leaders and workers to resist the elections and urged voters to boycott the poll.
Reiterating an earlier ban, police said anyone causing disruption would be "dealt with severely" but they were braced for more violence as the alliance, led by Sheikh Hasina, the former prime minister, said it would block roads leading to the palace of Iajuddin Ahmed, the president, who heads the caretaker administration.
Hasina has accused Ahmed of bias and demanded that he and election commissioners step down before elections are held.