20 hurt in Bangladesh latest strike

April 08, 2013 03:35 pm | Updated 03:35 pm IST - DHAKA

Thousands of Hifazat-e-Islam activists gather for a rally to demand authorities enact an anti-blasphemy law punishing people who insult Islam, in Dhaka, Bangladesh on April 6, 2013.

Thousands of Hifazat-e-Islam activists gather for a rally to demand authorities enact an anti-blasphemy law punishing people who insult Islam, in Dhaka, Bangladesh on April 6, 2013.

At least 20 people have been injured in south-western Bangladesh as a hardline Islamic group enforces a general strike to back its demands for an anti-blasphemy law.

Police and Somoy TV station say the violence on Monday took place in Chittagong city when activists from Hifazat-e-Islam clashed with ruling Awami League supporters.

Police official Abdullahel Baki says the Hifazat-e-Islam protesters threw stones at police and the ruling party supporters.

The TV station says one ruling party member was hit by a bullet, but it was not immediately clear who fired it.

The Hifazat-e-Islam protesters also blocked a rail line in eastern Brahmanbaria district to disrupt train services.

The government says it has no plans to enact an anti-blasphemy law or meet other demands from the protesters.

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