Bangladesh protests turn violent

At least five people were killed and scores injured across Bangladesh on Wednesday (November 27), as the second day of a planned nationwide protest against upcoming elections turned violent.

Vehicles and various items were set alight by supporters of opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

The Election Commission announced on Monday (November 26) that elections would be held on January 5. The BNP wanted to postpone the announcement until after an agreement had been reached on the formation of a caretaker cabinet to oversee the election.

The BNP has rejected any attempt to hold an election until it is satisfied a neutral interim administration is in place without Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Both heirs to political dynasties, Hasina and BNP leader Begum Khaleda Zia have rotated as prime minister for most of the last 22 years amid unending enmity, set against an all-too-familiar background of violent protest in one of the world's poorest countries.

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