13 February 2004	Friday	21 Zilhaj 1424

DHAKA, Feb 12: Clashes between police and protesters left injured more than 100 people, including some central leaders of the Awami League, in Dhaka and elsewhere during a day-long countrywide strike on Thursday.

Police picked up about 100 activists on the charge of picketing in different parts of the country. They also claimed to have recovered seven bombs and one kilogram of gunpowder from the rooftop of a building in old Dhaka and arrested two youths.

Meanwhile, a police patrol inspector died of cardiac arrest during chase and counter-chase by the law-enforcement personnel and opposition pickets in Pallabi area of the capital during strike hours.

The Awami League had called for the dawn-to-dusk strike across the country after its "meet 15-point demand or step down" ultimatum to the government expired on Tuesday without any response. A former minister and a legislator belonging to Awami League were injured when police caned the protesters.