Fears over hurt Dhaka politician

They say that Saber Hossain Chowdhury was among more than 100 people hurt in violent protests with police to demand "free and fair elections" in January.

The opposition Awami League says that he was so badly injured that he may require medical treatment abroad.

Police say they were forced to respond to crowds with batons and tear gas.

Clubbed and kicked

Mr Chowdhury, an organising secretary of the Awami League, was admitted to Bangladesh Medical College Hospital where doctors declared his condition as critical.

He was later transferred to a private hospital in Dhaka, and Awami League sources said that he might need to be taken abroad for better treatment.

Opposition sources say that Mr Choudhury was mercilessly clubbed and kicked by police and was left unconscious.

He is reported to have head injuries and wounds to his kidneys, gall bladder and lungs.

Doctors on Thursday said that while he remained in a critical condition, his life was not believed to be in danger.

Wednesday's protests were called by opposition parties, despite a police ban on the demonstrations near the election commission headquarters.

Witnesses say the clashes were some of the fiercest in recent months.

The violence occurred after thousands of protesters encountered a heavy police presence near the election commission building.

Police said they were forced to use batons and tear gas shells after opposition activists attacked them with stones and bricks and tried to remove barricades.

The opposition parties are demanding the resignation of election commissioners, who they accuse of favouring the government.

The government says that it has agreed to consider the reform proposals, but the two feuding groups have so far failed to meet to discuss the proposals.

The opposition have called another nationwide general strike on Sunday.

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Bangladesh government
Bangladesh Nationalist Party
Awami League
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites