DHAKA, Jan 9: At least 20 people were injured on Wednesday as police in Bangladesh fired teargas to disperse leaders and activists from the Awami League protesting fuel price hikes.

Police stopped some 100 party leaders and activists heading towards downtown Dhaka and then used baton charges and teargas to disperse the marchers as they staged a sit-down protest on a major city road.

Witnesses said former ministers Matia Chowdhury and Mohammad Nasim were injured during the protest, in support of an opposition-called strike which closed most shops, private offices and banks in Dhaka.

It was the second incident of unrest in two days after police in Dhaka used teargas and batons on Tuesday to break up another opposition rally against the rises in fuel prices.

Last month the government raised the price of all petroleum products by between 10 and 20 per cent, while utility prices were also raised.—AFP