19 Hurt as Bangladeshi Islamists Hold Anti-Womens Rights Rally ~ About 2011About 2011

Chittagong - At least 19 people, including 10 policemen and five journalists, have been injured as activists of an Islamist group protesting against the National Women Development Policy clashed with security forces at Andarkilla in the port city. Kotwali zone assistant commissioner of police Zidan Al Musa was among the wounded in the skirmish that took place after the Juma prayers on Friday. He said the clash ensued when activists of Hefajate Islami Bangladesh started pelting the police with brickbats from a procession taken out from Shahi Jam-e-Masjid near Andarkilla intersection. Musa said, "We allowed them to hold a peaceful procession but had to charge baton (on them) when they turned unruly." He said several teargas grenades were fired to disperse the demonstrators. Ten policemen, five journalists and four demonstrators were injured during the about hour-long violence, police and witnesses said. Traffic on Sirajuddowla Road, Laldighi Road and Momin Road came to a halt during the clash, Musa said. Ilias Osman, leader of the Islamist outfit, said they staged the demonstration to drum up support for the Apr 4 general strike, called by Islamic Law Implementation Committee demanding amendment to the 'anti-Quran' women's policy and protesting High Court ban on fatwa (religious edict).

19 Hurt as Bangladeshi Islamists Hold Anti-Womens Rights Rally http://www.bdnews24.com/details.php?id=191620&cid=2