Bangladesh Islamic leader sentenced to death, 46 killed in riots

Violence continued unabated in Bangladesh for the second day today as the death toll rose to at least 46 in clashes that erupted after a top leader of fundamentalist Jamaat-e-Islami was sentenced to death for "crimes against humanity" during the 1971 liberation war.

Fresh clashes today claimed three lives in Gaibandha and Chapainawabganj districts while one policeman succumbed to his wounds sustained in yesterday's clashes.

With violence showing no signs of abating, paramilitary border guards have been deployed across the country to beef up security and ease tension that has gripped the nation.

Violence broke out after 73-year-old Delwar Hossain Sayedee, vice-president of the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), was sentenced to death by International Crimes Tribunal yesterday.

At least 42 people were killed yesterday in rioting triggered by the death sentence to Sayedee, who was found guilty of eight counts out of 20, involving rape, mass killings and atrocities during the 1971 freedom war against Pakistan.

Officials said law enforcement agencies appeared to be the prime target of the right-wing JI activists.

The tense situation prompted local authorities to enforce ban on gathering of more than four people under section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code in troubled areas, five northwestern and one southwestern district, said to be JI strongholds.

Many people, including policemen, were injured when the supporters of Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir clashed with police and ruling party men in different locations in the country.

Police fired rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse Jamaat protesters in the capital Dhaka leaving several people injured, police said.

Meanwhile, in a major development main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chief Khaleda Zia today extended its open support to its extreme right-wing ally JI.

Zia accused Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of influencing the war crimes trial.

"No judge (of the war crimes tribunal) can now independently try the accused after her (Hasina's) call asking them to be sympathetic to the demands for death sentences to the war criminals," Zia told reporters.

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