Bombs explode in Dhaka amid rioting and clashes on day of general strike

Police fired tear gas to disperse crowds of people who were smashing vehicles.

It was not immediately clear if anyone was injured in the violence described by witnesses and television reports in parts of the capital, Dhaka.

A coalition of 18 opposition parties was enforcing the strike to demand that a caretaker government be restored before the next national elections due in 2014, while a key coalition partner wants their leaders, who are facing charges of crimes against 
humanity, to be freed from 
jail.

Schools and businesses remained closed in Dhaka and other major cities and towns and transportation was disrupted across Bangladesh, a parliamentary democracy that has a history of fierce political violence.

Amid the violence, the United States urged the two main political parties to resolve their disputes through dialogue.

Independent television reported the detention of at least six opposition activists from the Dhaka University area.

Police said activists torched at least 21 vehicles in Dhaka 
after police arrested a senior leader of the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party, led by former prime minister Khaleda Zia.

The opposition said it would enforce another general strike tomorrow unless those detained during the violence are freed by today.

An opposition spokesman said at least 250 people were detained during the strike.

The government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina scrapped 
the 15-year-old caretaker system last year in line with a Supreme Court order that ruled it unconstitutional, saying the constitution allows only popularly elected 
people to run the government.

Opposition parties fear the 
election will be rigged if the 
current party remains in 
power.