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Violence in Dhaka over food prices

Dhaka: Thousands of textile workers protesting against soaring food prices today clashed with the police and went on a rampage attacking vehicles and shops, prompting authorities to call in the military on the outskirts of the Bangladeshi capital.

Nearly two dozen people were injured as police opened fire in the air and used batons and tear gas to disperse the protesters who were demanding a wage hike to meet the steep food prices.

“The joint forces fired gunshots in the air to disperse the angry workers as they assaulted several policemen when we tried to talk to them,” police sub-inspector Seema said.

Witnesses claimed the protesters attacked cars and buses, vandalised shops and hurled bricks and stones at police. Among the injured were several policemen.

The military-backed interim government has been grappling with soaring food prices and production shortfall.

Analysts have warned of a “silent famine” in the country, where 40 per cent of the population lives on a dollar a day. — PTI

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