DHAKA, March 26: Nineteen people were injured on Sunday in clashes between political parties as Bangladesh marked its 35th Independence Day anniversary under tight security for fear of Islamic militant attacks. Hundreds of supporters of the ruling party and main opposition Awami League clashed in the central town of Srinagar, local police chief Nur Hossain said, adding that 15 people were injured and five buses were wrecked.

The town’s main streets became a battlefield after an independence day procession by the Awami League came under attack from rivals, Mr Hossain said.

“Police fired rubber bullets and baton-charged to bring the situation under control,” Mr Hossain said. Four men were arrested.

The two parties also clashed during celebrations in the northern town of Gopalpur, area police chief Monirul Islam said.

At least four people were injured, he said, rejecting a media report that an Awami League party official was killed. “The Awami League official died of a heart attack and his family members testified to that,” he said.

In Dhaka, security was tight with nearly 10,000 police guarding key venues including the National Parade Ground.—AFP