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Political party supporters, police clash on Dhaka streets

Sit-in rallies organized by the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Saturday turned violent after ruling party supporters called a rally of their own and the police tried to keep the peace on Dhaka streets.

Buses and tires were set on fire at the road entrance to Dhaka as the opposition called for the government to step down and establish a caretaker government before the upcoming national polls.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government has rejected these calls.

“As we are in power, we are the sentinels of the general public’s safety and security. That is why we took a position on the streets today by order of the Prime Minister. Therefore, nobody can play with people’s lives and fire,” said Bodiul Alam, the Group Leader.

On Friday tens of thousands of BNP supporters from all over the counters filled the streets in protest.