Bangladesh police detain a key opposition leader after clashes left 1 dead and scores injured

By JULHAS ALAM
Associated Press

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — Authorities in Bangladesh have detained a key opposition figure of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, which called for a nationwide strike following a day of violent clashes with security forces. At least one police officer was killed and scores were injured on Saturday when a massive rally by tens of thousands of opposition activists turned violent. The opposition is demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the transfer of power to a non-partisan caretaker government to oversee general elections next year. Police say they detained Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgi, the secretary general of the Nationalist Party led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s party, Hasina’s main rival. The party announced a three-day blockade of public transport next week.