Demonstrations Bangladesh

Thousands of anti-government protesters took to the streets of Dhaka as troops returned to their barracks after a two-day army mutiny. It was unclear how the crisis would affect next month's election, which Bangladeshis hope will help restore political stability and improve the economy of their poor nation of 120 million people. But the developments alarmed many in a country that has seen two presidents assassinated, three military coups and 18 coup attempts in its 25 years of independence.

Nine small bombs exploded in Dhaka as the opposition began a three-day, nationwide strike aimed at forcing the resignation of Bangladesh's prime minister, police and witnesses said. One protester was killed in police gunfire and eight were injured. Two officers were wounded when opposition supporters ignited a pot stuffed with explosives and nails. Eight other blasts wounded six, police said.

Nearly 10,000 Bangladeshis who lost their jobs in Kuwait and Iraq because of the Gulf War staged a "bare-chest" demonstration in Dhaka on Thursday to demand their immediate re-employment abroad, witnesses said. The protesters said fewer than a quarter of the 62,000 Bangladeshis affected had found new jobs in Kuwait, and none had found work in Iraq. They blamed their plight on the Bangladesh government's indifference.

Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets Sunday to disperse nearly 3,000 anti-government protesters who exploded crude bombs, attacked government offices and set vehicles on fire. At least 150 people were injured. Burned-out tear gas shells, splinters of homemade bombs, rocks and sticks littered downtown Dhaka streets near government offices after more than two hours of fighting between police and protesters. Police detained dozens of the protesters.

Baton-wielding police clashed with about 2,000 students who took to the streets in Dhaka, Bangladesh, to protest a constitutional amendment making Islam the state religion. At least 10 people were injured, police said. Nationwide, lawyers supporting the protest stayed away from courts while students, who have been boycotting classes for the last three days, declared plans for more demonstrations to demand that the amendment, approved by Parliament on Tuesday, be repealed.

Nearly 200 chanting Bangladeshi demonstrators burned President Reagan in effigy Tuesday to protest the downing of Iran Air Flight 655 by a U.S. warship. Police said the demonstrators were members of Bangladesh's Islamic Constitution Movement, a pro-Iran fundamentalist group.

Thousands of anti-government protesters took to the streets of Dhaka as troops returned to their barracks after a two-day army mutiny. It was unclear how the crisis would affect next month's election, which Bangladeshis hope will help restore political stability and improve the economy of their poor nation of 120 million people. But the developments alarmed many in a country that has seen two presidents assassinated, three military coups and 18 coup attempts in its 25 years of independence.

Thousands of Muslim fundamentalists, demanding a feminist writer be put to death as a blaspheming infidel, clashed with opponents and police Thursday on the streets of Bangladesh's capital. Businesses in Dhaka were closed and the streets empty of traffic as the result of a half-day strike called by Islamic militants to demand Taslima Nasrin's execution for allegedly insulting the Koran.

Both foes and fans of Bangladesh's most controversial author plan to take to the capital's monsoon-washed streets Thursday. Muslim extremists have offered a reward for the assassination of feminist writer Taslima Nasrin, in hiding since a court ordered her arrest for offending Muslims, who make up about 90% of the country's population. Nasrin's crime: giving a newspaper interview in which she called for revision of the Koran, the Muslim holy book.

Feminist writer Taslima Nasrin, under threat of death from Muslim fundamentalists, is seeking asylum in the United States, Bangladesh newspapers reported. A U.S. Embassy spokesman in Dhaka said he was not aware of any request and noted that only people who are in the United States can apply for asylum. More than 4,000 protesters smashed car windshields and headlights as they marched to Parliament to demand Nasrin's execution.

Nearly 10,000 Bangladeshis who lost their jobs in Kuwait and Iraq because of the Gulf War staged a "bare-chest" demonstration in Dhaka on Thursday to demand their immediate re-employment abroad, witnesses said. The protesters said fewer than a quarter of the 62,000 Bangladeshis affected had found new jobs in Kuwait, and none had found work in Iraq. They blamed their plight on the Bangladesh government's indifference.

More than 50,000 Muslims left mosques and marched throughout the capital Friday before gathering at the government's headquarters to demand the death of author Salman Rushdie. Marchers chanted "We will kill Rushdie!" and gathered near the Secretariat, the headquarters of the government. Also Friday, about 3,000 Muslim fundamentalists in Sudan, some shouting "Down, down with Britain!"

About 20,000 protesters rallied in the streets of Dhaka, capital of Bangladesh, and demanded that President Hussain Mohammed Ershad resign to pave the way for parliamentary elections. The demonstrators, shouting anti-government slogans, gathered in five separate rallies to mark the anniversary of a violent campaign launched Nov. 10, 1987 to topple the president.