DHAKA, Dec 2: Several people were hurt on Sunday when police fired tear gas and used batons on strikers from Bangladesh’s main opposition party protesting the repeal of special security for their leader.

Parliament on Sunday rescinded special security for former prime minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed and her sister that had been approved under the previous Awami League government.

Speaker Jamiruddin Sirker announced the repeal after a unanimous voice vote in the parliament, where the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)-led Islamist-allied coalition holds a two-thirds majority.

Law minister Moudud Ahmed told parliament that special security was extended to the prime minister “but not contemplated to be given to any (private) citizen.”

He assured, however, that Sheikh Hasina would be provided with “adequate and proper security.”

The Awami League described the repeal as an “act of revenge” and said prime minister Khaleda Zia would be held responsible if any harm came to the two women.

Armed police were stationed around the Awami League’s main office in downtown Dhaka even after the eight-hour general strike ended at 2pm, in the party’s first such protest since losing power in October.

Witnesses said police swung into action as some Awami League activists, including former ministers, tried to come out of the office to the street.

Most of the activists ran back inside, while others fled. Several people, including MP Ahsanullah Master, were injured, and at least five Awami League members were picked up by police, witnesses said.

“This is undemocratic and we must be allowed to stage our protest,” League leaders chanted.

Police also arrested the secretary of a committee that has been demanding the death penalty for those involved in killings during a 1975 coup.

The committee secretary was detained when he joined former home minister Mohammad Nasim and another ex-minister, who squatted down after police refused to let them go towards the nearby National Press Club.

Witnesses said unidentified men armed with sticks also attacked the strikers.

The Father of the Nation Family Members Security Bill allowed special security for Sheikh Hasina and her sister Sheikh Rehana saying they were “under constant threat” because they are the daughters of Bangladesh’s founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who was assassinated in 1975.—APP