Bangladesh protesters demand early elections

(ROUGH CUT ONLY - NO REPORTER NARRATION)

Protesters took to the streets of Dhaka and other cities on Sunday (December 9) as part of an opposition campaign for early elections under an independent caretaker administration.

Police and witnesses said supporters of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia, and its allies set ablaze about 30 buses, trucks and cars in the capital Dhaka and other parts of the country.

At least 100 people were injured and a similar number had been detained by police across the country, they said.

The political scene in Bangladesh has been dominated for decades by bitter rivals Khaleda Zia and current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, whose electoral campaigns have sparked violent clashes and on occasions prompted military intervention.

The two women, both in their mid 60s and who have served two terms each as the country's leader, are likely to face each other again in the next election due by end of 2013.