One killed in Bangladesh rally amid strike

At least one protester has been killed in clashes that erupted at a rally held by the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)-led alliance during a nationwide 24-hour strike.

Officials said on Monday that a female protester died of injuries sustained at a rally in the coastal district of Noakhali in the capital, Dhaka.

“She was declared dead after being brought to a hospital,” local police chief Anwar Ali said.

Police say the 37-year-old teacher had been hit on the head with a rock thrown by an opposition protester.

Three policemen and a number of other protesters were also injured during protests in the capital.

The BNP and 19 of its allies organized the strike in protest at a crackdown by security forces against opposition leaders and supporters.

Schools and offices remain closed as a result of the strike.

According to BNP spokesman Rizvi Ahmed, at least 400 of his party officials and activists have been detained since last week. Government officials have not commented on this yet.

Ahmed said the arrests have been made in order to prevent protesters from gathering ahead of the first anniversary of the controversial January 5 parliamentary election, which has been boycotted by the opposition.