Violence erupts in Dhaka as security forces clash with Islamic hardliners calling for anti-blasphemy law, reports say
At least 10 people have been killed in clashes in Bangladesh between police and Islamic hardliners demanding that the country implement an anti-blasphemy law, according to reports.
The private United News of Bangladesh reported that seven people were killed early on Monday in clashes in Dhaka, and another three died in Kanchpur on the outskirts of the capital.
Police were not immediately available to comment. The reports said the violence erupted after security forces firing tear gas and rubber bullets evicted about 20,000 protesters from a central commercial district in Dhaka.
The Islamic activists have been demanding that the government enact an anti-blasphemy law.
The government in the Muslim-majority nation has rejected the demands, saying Bangladesh is governed by secular liberal laws.