"Religion of peace": 15 dead as Islamists demand stricter blasphemy laws in Bangladesh

Bangladesh police break up Islamist protest in Dhaka



At least 15 people are reported to have died and more than 60 injured after police and Islamist protesters clashed in the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka.

Police used stun grenades and rubber bullets to disperse a Sunday protest organised by the group Hefazat-e Islam.

But there were later running battles throughout Sunday and into Monday in areas across the city.

Tens of thousands of Islamists had gathered in the city to call for stronger Islamic policies.

Rioters went on to set fire to shops and vehicles.

'Hang atheists'
Thousands of Islamist activists were seen fleeing the Motijheel area of Dhaka as police moved in to take control of the area.

Early on Monday, a police spokesman said officers had secured the business district and were searching for protesters hiding in nearby buildings.

The area around the city centre's largest mosque had turned into a battleground as police reacted to stone-throwing rioters with tear gas, stun grenades, rubber bullets and truncheons.

"We were forced to act after they unlawfully continued their gathering at Motijheel," police spokesman Masudur Rahman told the AFP news agency. "They attacked us with bricks, stones, rods and bamboo sticks."

Clashes also broke out in Kanchpur on the south-eastern outskirts of Dhaka. At least six people, including two policemen and a security guard, are reported to have died in the violence there.

On Sunday, crowds of protesters blocked main roads, isolating Dhaka from other parts of the country.

Dhaka's Daily Star newspaper reports that the group hired at least 3,000 vehicles, including buses, lorries and minibuses to bring demonstrators into the capital, while others travelled there by train.

Chanting "Allahu Akbar!" ("God is greatest!") and "One point! One demand! Atheists must be hanged", the activists marched down at least six main roads as they headed for Motijheel, AFP news agency reported.

Hefazat-e Islam wants greater segregation of men and women, as well as the imposition of stricter Islamic education.

The movement draws its strength from the country's madrassahs, or religious schools.

Its opposition to a national development policy for women has angered women's groups.

The government, which describes Bangladesh as a secular democracy, has rejected Hefazat-e Islam's demand for a new law on blasphemy.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said current legislation was adequate.

Muslims make up nearly 90% of the country's population, with the rest mostly Hindus.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-22423815